RCC Ready to help meet employment needs
Lumberton, NC (February 21, 2010) -
President Obama has set an ambitious goal for higher education across America and he, along with many other policy makers, believes that community colleges can be a major contributor to economic recovery and our country’s return to economic prosperity in the future. This is encouraging news for unemployed workers, communities, and states across the nation, but it comes at a time when many community colleges are overwhelmed with enrollment growth and state and local budgets cuts.
RCC, like most community colleges, is coping with unprecedented enrollment growth while adjusting for state and county budget reductions for operation. At the state level, the General Assembly provides more than $20 million in general and categorical funding. The FY 2009-10 state budget was certified at 6% less than the College had in FY 2008-09, and then the state threw in a 2.6% management flexibility reduction and the Governor required a 5% reversion of funds, so RCC started FY 2009-10 with 13.6% fewer state funds than it had one year ago. When combined with a 13.6% enrollment increase, the task of operating the College has been challenging.
At the County level, RCC relies on the County Commissioners for funding that pays for the day-to-day operation of the physical plant. During the past seven years, the County Commissioners have supported the construction of three new buildings that were badly needed by the College and are now serving the nearly 2,800 students at RCC. The commissioners have also supported repairs to older buildings with funds to replace aging roofs and HVAC equipment that contributes to long term cost savings to local taxpayers.
According to RCC President Charles Chrestman, the College touches the lives of 1 in 5 people in Robeson County each year. Therefore, the support of local legislators and County Commissioners is very important in making sure the College can carry out its mission for the people of Robeson County. Presently, the College has nearly $1.0 million in roof repairs that need to be made to help maintain the College’s buildings. Other renovations are needed inside the buildings to help with the College’s enrollment growth and these must be paid for with county funds.
With enrollment growth, new construction, and growing expectations that community colleges be a part of the solution in getting America back to work, RCC needs continued support for County Commissioners and state legislators. Few would argue that with 17.5% more students than were enrolled just two years ago, that more maintenance must be performed, more campus security must be provided, and more custodians are needed to keep facilities serviced for patron use.
RCC officials remain confident the local and state support needed to serve the citizens of Robeson County will be forthcoming. Why? Because there is no higher priority for elected officials than doing what they can to help people return to gainful employment. RCC can help with this.
