HOUSE BILL 2436 – The 2008 Appropriations Act
Summary of the Community College Special Provisions June 5, 2008
SPECIAL PROVISIONS SUMMARY: 1. Reorganization of the System Office: Permits the President to reorganize the System Office in accordance with recommendations and plans submitted to and approved by the State Board. 2. Use of Funds for C.I.I.: Provides that the (reduced) recurring appropriation of $11.7 mil for operational “steady-state” shall not revert at the end of the fiscal year, but shall remain available for periodic system upgrades. Further, allows the employ of three (3) additional positions, dedicated to maintaining and administering software upgrades to C.I.S. Finally, requires an annual report. 3. Report on the Effect of Additional Allied Health Funding: Requires a March 1, 2009 report to Education Oversight, Fiscal Research and the OSBM on the impact of additional funding provided for nursing and allied health in the 2006, 2007, & 2008 Sessions. Report to include: a. The number of FTE students enrolled in the program; b. The number of qualified applicants who were not admitted due to program capacity constraints; c. The performance of students on nursing licensure exams; and, d. The average salary for allied health faculty by education level. 4. Report on the Cost of All Programs: Requires a May 15, 2009 report to Fiscal Research and the OSBM on the instructional cost of all curriculum and non-curriculum programs, including an explanation of the differences in costs between programs, including faculty salaries and equipment costs. [Editors Note: This is a positive effort at determining high cost academic and continuing education programs] 5. Minority Male Mentoring Program Funds: Funds appropriated doe not revert at the end of the fiscal year. Permits up to $100,000 of the carry forward to be used for student recruitment, marketing, and summer enrichment programs. 6. Learn & Earn On-Line Funds: LEO funds shall not revert at the end of a fiscal year, but shall remain available for expenditure up to 12 months after the close of a fiscal year. 7. Consolidate Workforce Development programs: [Editor’s Note: probably the most sweeping and important provision sought by the System President and President’s Association] a. Consolidates the former New & Expanding Industry Training Program (NEIT) and Customized Industry Training Program (CIT) into a NEW “Customized Training Program (CIT).” b. Provides that CIT funds DO NOT revert at the end of a fiscal year. c. Permits the sum of up to 10% of college-delivered training and 5% of contractor1
delivered training expenditures for the previous fiscal year to be allotted to a college in the ensuing fiscal year for training capacity building at that college. d. Of the funds appropriated, permits up to 8% to be used for “the training and support of “regional community college personnel to deliver CIT services to business & industry. e. Permits the transfer of FIT funds to the CIT program. 8. Basic Skill Block Grant: Directs the System Office to develop a new formula for consideration by the 2009 Session. The revised formula must include: a. Federal funds shall be distributed to both Community-based organizations and community colleges using the same process, and shall ONLY be awarded to programs that meets minimum standards; b. A larger amount of funding shall be distributed on the basis of performance criteria; and, c. The formula shall not include funding for members of target populations who do not receive basic skills services. 9. Transfer of Cash Balances: Transfers required C.I.S. reversions to the state’s General Fund 10. Funds for Campus Security: permits a community college to use up to 2% of its noninstructional state funds in the Institutional Support Allotment for FY 2008-09 for campus security, including: a. The hiring of personnel; b. Contracted Professional Services; c. Surveillance cameras, Call boxes, Alert Systems and other equipment-related expenditures. These funds MAY NOT be used to supplant existing local funding for campus security. 11. Clarify Use of GED Testing Fees: Waives a 1979 special provision that required two-thirds of the GED Testing Fee to revert to the General Fund. Codifies the authorization of the State Board to retain and budget fees charged to students taking the GED. The fees may be used to: a. Offset the costs of the GED test, including the scoring; b. Offset the printing of GED certificates; and, c. Meet federal and State reporting requirements related to the test. 12. Carry-Forward of NC Research Campus Funds: Permits the C/F of funds appropriated in the 2006 and 2007 Sessions for Rowan-Cabarrus’ presence at the N.C. Research Campus. These funds shall not revert, but shall remain available until expended. 13. Use of Basic Skills Funds: Permits the use of up to 5% of the Literacy funds allotted to a college to be used for the procurement of technology for literacy labs. The technology may include computers, instructional software, software licenses, scanners for testing, and classroom projection equipment. 14. Surry CC Viticulture Funds: Funds appropriated in the 2007 for the Surry CC Viticulture & Enology Center shall not revert, but may be used for capital construction for the Center.
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15. Study of Changes Necessary to Improve Financial Aid to CC Students: The Education Oversight Committee shall study the changes necessary to improve financial aid for CC students; specifically on how to better serve nontraditional students and how to increase the number of community colleges that participate in federal loan programs. 16. Use of Hosiery Center Funds: Permits the Hosiery Technology Center (HTC) at Catawba Valley CC to use appropriated funds for the Center for Emerging Manufacturing Solutions. The HTC is now a division of he CEMS.
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