Community College Board identifies $1.35 billion in capital needs
Expansion budget priorities include facilities, nursing, salaries, more
RALEIGH – The State Board approved a 2007-09 Expansion Budget Request that reflects the significant capital that is needed to provide adequate facilities for the colleges and state-of-the-art equipment to train adult students. The budget also includes funds to address important program needs and to significantly raise the salaries of community college faculty and staff. The proposal goes to Governor Easley this month.
“This is a budget based on sound research and represents real needs,” said Kennon Briggs, vice president for Business and Finance, in presenting the Budget Request to the State Board on Friday, November 17. The $1.35 billion requested would provide for each college one general construction project, one project that addresses statewide labor market needs, and three renovation and repair projects. Additionally, these facilities would have to be equipped.
Briggs told the members that it is a large budget, maybe “unrealistic,” but it sets the stage for a possible future bond referendum. “We have to state our case now and continue to pound the message,” he said.
Board member Joanne Steiner agreed the budget request was large. However she suggested even with this funding, the NC Community College System will still be in the “catch-up” mode, attempting to recover from years of grossly inadequate funding.
The budget request presented (see attachment) reflects the priorities stated in two specific documents, the 2007-09 Community College System Strategic Plan and the recently conducted Pappas Study, which was mandated by the General Assembly in HB 1264. The budget includes expansion items of $175.6 million in operating funds, $16 million in equipment funding, and $1.35 billion to meet facilities needs.
The operating budget items include:
· Additional funds to those programs that are in high demand and expensive to operate, including: Nursing and other health programs, Biotechnology, Technical and Vocational programs, and Motorsports;
· Funds to move all Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing programs to the
National League of Nursing Accreditation;
· A plan that would move the salaries of community college faculty and professional and support staff to the national average by 2010;
· Funds to reinstate the Visiting Artist Program at low wealth colleges;
· Funds to begin Minority Male Mentoring programs at 20 colleges;
· Funds to provide faculty in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM);
· Enrollment Growth Reserve and Multi-Campus Colleges and Off-Campus Centers funds;
· System Office leadership and technical support funds
The Board also approved Dr. Robert S. Shackleford Jr., currently vice president for student development at Rockingham Community College, as the next president of Randolph Community College in Asheboro, N.C., effective January 1, 2007.
The board approved the disbursement of $15 million in Facilities and Equipment Grant Funds that were provided by the General Assembly in this year’s budget to 18 community colleges. The grants were awarded on the basis of competitive grant proposals that were objectively evaluated by a committee that was chaired by State Board Finance Chair Herb Watkins. Watkins told the Board that an analytical process was used to evaluate the 55 proposals and make the decisions. Twelve projects are for new construction and six are for repair and renovation. Each selected college will have to provide a guarantee of non-state matching funds by June 30, 2007. Based on the proposals, the $15 million will leverage about $42.3 million of non-state funds. An additional requirement to receive the funds is a guarantee that at least ten percent of contracts awarded for the specific project will go to Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB), those owned by women and minorities.
The Board approved the disbursement of $5 million in Allied Health Enhancement Grant Funds that were provided by the General Assembly in this year’s budget. Fifty-three proposals totaling more than $14 million in requests were submitted. A two-tier review panel, internal and external, selected the fundable proposals. Full funding was awarded to 28 proposals. Partial funding was awarded to 28 proposals because sections or priorities of a proposal did not meet one or more of the mandatory criteria. The projects funded include purchase or upgrading of equipment, new course start up, faculty development opportunities, and begin or enhance the use of simulation for class and team teaching and training.
In other action the Board:
- Approved an appropriation of $25 thousand to Roanoke-Chowan Community College to provide leadership for a new system-wide initiative on modularized curriculum efforts. This will allow students to achieve academic success and job readiness earlier than a two-year degree.
- Approved the allocation of $1.9 million to colleges that have experienced enrollment growth of 5% or more in the Fall semester. Finance and Capital Needs Chair Herb Watkins told the Board that the amount appropriated by the General Assembly does not adequately meet the needs, and that funds were distributed on a pro-rata formula.
- Approved Lateral Entry programs for Alamance and Southeastern Community Colleges. The program provides a process for individuals with college degrees, but without teaching certification the opportunity to obtain certification.
- Approved a motion (attached) from Board member Dr. Linwood Powell and seconded by Mr. Gordon Greenwood regarding the expenditures of public and foundation funds in connection with the operation of the College’s baseball program and other issues at Blue Ridge Community College.
The Board will meet via telephone on December 15 to receive information and consider any action it deems appropriate based on the authorities granted to it by the North Carolina General Assembly.
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