RELEASE DATE: December 15, 2006
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State Board of Community Colleges censures actions of Blue Ridge Community College Trustees
RALEIGH – The State Board of Community Colleges took unprecedented action today and censured the actions of the Board of Trustees of Blue Ridge Community College. The action came in the form of a Resolution adopted by the Board that spells out the responsibilities of the State Board to ensure that local trustee boards maintain administration standards and ensure the proper use of funds provided by the State of North Carolina.
In the resolution the Board spells out the failure of the Blue Ridge Trustees to “oversee and supervise the actions of President David Sink in the operation of its intercollegiate athletics programs,” specifically the baseball program. These deficiencies were first described in a January audit of Blue Ridge CC by the Office of the State Auditor. In subsequent months, attempts to sufficiently resolve those concerns and address those activities failed and led to today’s action by the State Board.
“This is an action to resolve this issue and move forward,” said Board Chair Hilda Pinnix-Ragland. She added that the Board is extremely concerned about the responsibility of local trustees to follow the prescribed policies and standards regarding the operation of the 58 community colleges. “We will follow the law,” she said. “A major concern is accountability of State funds.”
The Resolution followed the presentation of an Internal Report that includes information from the State Auditor, information from an independent study conducted by Dr. Marvin Joyner, and information provided by Blue Ridge Community College Trustees and Administration regarding improper use of state and federal funds.
The Resolution directs the College to make full and complete restitution of those state funds that have been “misdirected to support the operation of its intercollegiate athletics programs since January 1, 2002.” It also directs the College to stop using state funds for any purpose “that either directly or indirectly supports the operation of intercollegiate athletics programs.” The Trustees must also recover the fair market value “for the use of college athletic facilities for private athletic activities” conducted by the coaches.
In other action the State Board approved the allocation of $375 thousand to four colleges in Program Start-up Grant Awards.
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
AAS Therapeutic Massage
Full funding : $69,126.00
Central Piedmont Community College
Non-Destructive Examination Technicians (locating flaws in welded material)
Partial funding: $76,015.00
Sandhills Community College
Polysomnography (sleep studies)
Full funding: $105,000.00
Stanly Community College
Computer Simulation and Game Development.
Full funding: $124,859.00
The Board also approved a grant agreement with the Golden LEAF Foundation that awards $500,000 for the Golden LEAF Scholars Program for 2007. Colleges, by means of a campus-wide committee, will select students on a semester-by-semester basis to receive up to $750 for curriculum students and up to $250 for occupational extension students. The funds can be used to assist with expenses associated with attending a community college: tuition, fees, books, transportation and other related costs.
The State Board meets next on January 19.
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