North Carolina Community College System President H. Martin Lancaster acknowledged the previous work the Board has done to help with passage of the legislation. He then offered a charge to the members.  "Our work is cut out for us between now and November. It will require significant effort from each of you in your communities and across the state in speaking one-on-one and in groups on behalf of our needs.  I am excited about this opportunity and hope that you are, too."

Board Chairman G. Herman Porter gave University of North Carolina Board of Governors Chairman Ben Ruffin an opportunity to address the members. Ruffin had come at the invitation of the Chair and President Lancaster.

"This is our effort. The success or failure of the bond depends on our working together," Ruffin told the Board.  He pledged the dedicated cooperation of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors, administration and others to take the message of the importance of the $3.1 billion bond package to the people of North Carolina for a November vote.

Chairman Ruffin called the partnership between the two systems to work on the bond "historic."  He added that the push for passage of the referendum would not be "an easy effort, but it is necessary and one we will win."  He told the members he was personally pleased that the NCCCS allocation included in the bond package is now $600 million, double the amount originally included for community colleges.

Ruffin acknowledged the role community colleges play in attracting industry to the state by providing quality, world-class training and added the public universities provide important education resources.  "We have a partnership with economics and education that has made our state great."

Ruffin noted the presence of State Treasurer Harlan Boyles, an ex offico member of the State Board, calling Boyles a "linchpin" in this process.  "When he tells the state it is okay to incur the debt for this bond, the lawmakers listened."

Ruffin concluded his remarks by assuring the full support of the University of North Carolina to work with the North Carolina Community College System in the months to come.  "I pledge we will take every opportunity to walk step by step to get this [bond package] done," he said.

State Board Finance Chairman James J. Woody, Jr. added his pleasure at the amount of money included in the bond. "Never before has the state offered the community colleges this amount of money," he said.  The $600 million represents more state capital money provided to community colleges than the combined capital amount appropriated since 1967.

For community colleges, the $600 million in new state funding will require less than $113 million in matching funds from non-state sources. Many counties will have NO matching requirements.  The funding formula includes adjustments reflecting local investments made in previous years and accounting for local ability to pay.  Historically, local communities are responsible for construction and maintenance of facilities and community colleges. This proposal represents a very large infusion of state funds at low or no cost to local governments.

Treasurer Boyles told the members his office is working on statistics that will illustrate that the debt the $3.1 billion bond will create is manageable. He also pointed out that those students who will benefit from the dollars invested from the bond will themselves become taxpayers.  "They will contribute heavily to the State’s resources.  They will generate enough revenue over time to repay the debt service," he added.

In other business, the State Board approved Dr. Richard T. "Dick" Heckman as the next president of Randolph Community College in Asheboro.  Dr. Heckman is currently Vice President for Instruction at Montcalm Community College in Sidney, Michigan.  His appointment begins on July 1, when Dr. Larry K. Linker retires after 37 years at the Randolph, the last twelve as president.

The State Board also approved Dr. William C. Aiken as president of Sampson Community College in Clinton. His term begins July 1.  Dr. Aiken is currently the acting Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He assumes the presidency from the retiring Dr. Clifton Paderick, who had been at Sampson CC for 20 years.

The third president approved by the State Board was Dr. Brantley Briley as president of Southeastern Community College in Whiteville.  Dr. Briley, who has a 24-year association with the North Carolina community colleges, serving in a variety of capacities, will take office on June 1, 2000. He was most recently the Vice President at Lenoir Community College in Kinston.  Dr. Briley replaces Dr. Swanson Richards who served as Interim President since his predecessor, Dr. Stephen Scott left Southeastern to assume the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at the NCCCS. Briley, who was a student at Lenoir CC, told the Board he was a "living testament" to the success of the NCCCS.

J. Edgar Moore, President of the North Carolina Association of Community College Trustees and Dr. Phail Wynn, President of the North Carolina Association of Community College Presidents, gave their final reports to the State Board. Each man leaves his office next month.

In other business the State Board approved several new programs that will be offered at specific community colleges. Three programs are completely new to North Carolina: Library and Information Technology, a regional program at Central Carolina Community College; Entertainment Technology, a program unique to the Southeast that will be offered locally at Guilford Technical Community College; and Outdoor Leadership, a local program at Southwestern Community College.

The North Carolina Community College System, with 759,000 students, is the third largest community college system in the United States.  The System is the state=s primary agency for delivery of job training, literacy and adult education programs.

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