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| For Release: IMMEDIATE | Contact: Public Affairs |
| Date: September 21, 2001 |
Community Colleges President responds to Faculty/Staff salary increase in State Budget
RALEIGH: "We are most grateful that the General Assembly has recognized the critical situation with our salaries," said North Carolina Community College System President H. Martin Lancaster during the State Board of Community Colleges meeting on Friday morning. His comments came just after notification that the House and Senate had given final approval to the State Budget. "While there are some disappointments, including no additional money for Student Services, this is much better than we had expected," Lancaster continued.
The Budget Conferee Report first unveiled in committee on Thursday provides $6.9 million for community college faculty and professional staff salary increases, in addition to the general $625 salary increase per employee that all state employees will receive.
House Appropriations Chair Representative Ruth Easterling (D-Mecklenburg) explained in committee on Thursday that the budget prepared by the conferees has a primary goal. "The whole purpose of this budget is to educate young children for the future, our future… and to take care of those among us who are less fortunate, who have lost jobs and need to retrain for new jobs."
Community colleges are experiencing record enrollment increases this fall, in part because of the downturn in the economy. Unemployed individuals turn to their local community colleges for retraining and education to prepare them for new jobs. This increase in students translates into heavier loads for instructors and professional support staff.
North Carolina community college instructor salaries rank at the bottom in the Southern Region and near the bottom nationally. "It depends on which list you consult. We’re either 42nd or 47th. It’s a fluid number," said Kennon Briggs, NCCCS Vice President for Business and Finance.
"In a year with so many unknowns and an uncertain revenue picture, this is a giant step by the legislature," said State Board Chair James Woody. "This budget shows our lawmakers recognize the importance of the community college’s role in the economy. It’s a great first step in bringing salaries up to national standards."
"This is a bold step, given the difficult financial situation," continued Lancaster. "You can’t train and retrain workers without competent faculty," he added. "This increase will help keep some of those competent instructors in our classrooms."
North Carolina Community College Faculty Association President Jim Davies, an instructor at Rockingham Community College, is pleased with the appropriation, but says there is much more work ahead. "We are grateful to the General Assembly for providing these funds. We will continue to work in future sessions towards decreasing the salary discrepancy that exists. This is critical to the future of our community colleges."
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