RELEASE: Immediate CONTACT: Audrey Bailey, Chancy Kapp
DATE: September 19, 2008 PHONE: (919) 807-6963, 807-6962
State Board takes step on undocumented student admission study
RALEIGH – The State Board of Community Colleges took a major step toward addressing the issue of admission of undocumented students into North Carolina’s community colleges today, September 19. The Board approved $75,000 in funding for and the scope of a study that will provide information the Board will use as it develops a policy on this issue. In August the State Board approved a motion to continue to ban the admission of undocumented to NCCCS curriculum programs as they prepare to develop this policy.
“This is a comprehensive study with a short target for completion,” said Policy Chair Dr. Stuart Fountain, as he presented the item to the Board. “Our goal is to have it ready for Rules Review in the spring so we can have a policy in place by next fall.”
The study calls for a review of the history of the issue and a survey of the policies in states where one exists. The study will also provide information on state and local resources required to support an undocumented student that is enrolled full-time in a North Carolina Community College curriculum program. A final report is expected by March 19, 2009.
The
Board welcomed the new president of Central Carolina Community
College in Sanford. Dr. T. E. “Bud” Marchant came to Central
Carolina Community College from his position as vice president for
Educational Affairs at Piedmont Technical College, a multi-county
college in South Carolina. He was chosen from among 72 original
applicants for the position. His educational career includes K-12
teaching and administration as well as community and technical
college administrative positions in North and South Carolina,
including time at what is now South Piedmont Community College in
Polkton. He told the Board he was “happy to be back in North
Carolina.”
In his report to the Board President Ralls focused on the leadership roles provided by North Carolina community colleges in energy-saving “green” technologies. He focused on sustainable initiatives at Haywood Community College and efforts at Wilson Community College to create a “green collar workforce.” He added that in an environmentally friendly action, he will soon receive a hybrid vehicle to replace his state-issued Crown Victoria.
The Board also began its discussion of a legislative strategy for the 2009-2011 biennial budget session and beyond.
The Board gave the Finance and Capital Needs Committee the authority to approve a lease agreement between Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and Castle & Cooke that will facilitate the construction of a building on the NC Research Campus in Salisbury. F&CN Committee Chair Herbert Watkins explained to the Board that additional legal review of the agreement was needed before approval was warranted, but review would be complete before the next Board meeting, when the Board will give its blessing to the agreement. A groundbreaking ceremony for the building is scheduled for September 29, so the item must be resolved prior to that event.
In other action the Board:
· Approved the funding for the 17 new and 15 renewed community college grants for the Minority Male Mentoring programs. Discussion on the issue centered on the success the initiative has generated within the system.
· Approved Small Business Center Network Innovative Projects at Blue Ridge, Martin and Mitchell Community Colleges and Performance Improvement Funding for six Small Business Centers: A-B Tech CC, Cape Fear CC, Craven CC, Gaston College, Halifax CC, and Wake Tech CC.
· Approved the State Board’s 2009 calendar, which includes more virtual meetings on the telephone and over the Information Highway
The NC Community College System enrolls more than 800,000 students in 58 comprehensive community colleges. Internationally recognized for the scope and quality of its programs, the system is North Carolina's primary provider of workforce preparation and adult education, creating success for North Carolina.
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Friday, September 19, 2008 05:29:07 PM
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Audrey Bailey.