GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2019
SESSION LAW 2020-56
HOUSE BILL 1096
AN ACT to make various changes related to the university of north carolina system; TO DIRECT THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF OFFERING ACCELERATED UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS AT CONSTITUENT INSTITUTIONS; and to provide funds for the university of north carolina laboratory schools.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
part i. REPEAL BOG MANDATORY REVIEW OF CERTAIN UNC HUMAN RESOURCES ACTIONS
SECTION 1. G.S. 116‑17.3 is repealed.
part ii. UNC LABORATORY SCHOOL MODIFICATIONS/funds
SECTION 2.(a) G.S. 116‑239.5(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a) The Board of
Governors, upon recommendation by the President, shall designate at least
nine constituent institutions to submit proposals to establish at least
nine laboratory schools in total to serve public school students in
accordance with the provisions of this Article. The Board of Governors shall
select constituent institutions with high‑quality educator preparation
programs as demonstrated by the annual performance measures reported by the
constituent institutions in accordance with G.S. 115C‑296.35. The
Board of Governors' Subcommittee on Laboratory Schools established under
G.S. 116‑239.7 shall review the proposals and approve at least nine
of the proposals to establish laboratory schools. The Subcommittee may select
a constituent institution to operate more than one laboratory school. The
Subcommittee shall oversee the operations of those laboratory schools to meet
the purposes set forth in this Article."
SECTION 2.(b) G.S. 116‑239.5 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"(e) In addition to all other immunities provided to them by applicable State law, the Subcommittee, chancellor, the constituent institution, an advisory board, and a laboratory school, and their members, employees, and agents shall be entitled to the specific immunities provided for in Chapter 115C of the General Statutes applying to the State Board of Education, Superintendent of Public Instruction, a local board of education, a local school administrative unit, and their members and employees. Any such immunity to liability established by this subsection shall not extend to gross negligence, wanton conduct, or intentional wrongdoing that would otherwise be actionable. Immunity established by this subsection shall be deemed to be waived to the extent of indemnification under Article 31A and Article 31B of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes and to the extent sovereign immunity is waived under the Tort Claims Act, as set forth in Article 31 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes."
SECTION 2.(c) G.S. 116‑239.7 reads as rewritten:
"§ 116‑239.7. The Board of Governors' Subcommittee on Laboratory Schools; selection of laboratory schools; creation of a laboratory school; dissolution.
(a1) Approval of Laboratory
Schools. The Board of Governors, upon the recommendation of the President,
shall designate at least nine constituent institutions to establish and
operate a total of at least nine laboratory schools. The chancellor of
each constituent institution shall adopt and submit to the Subcommittee a
proposal to operate a one or more laboratory school schools
in a one or more local school administrative unit units
that meets meet the minimum threshold for the number of low‑performing
schools located in the a unit under G.S. 116‑239.6(4).
The proposal shall include the governance structure of the laboratory school.
The Subcommittee shall evaluate the proposals for approval or disapproval by
considering the design components and the strategic focus of the laboratory
school and any other standards developed by the Subcommittee to be applicable
to all laboratory schools. The Subcommittee shall also consider the location of
each laboratory school so that, to the extent possible, there is a
geographically diverse distribution of the laboratory schools throughout the State
and a maximum of one laboratory school located in a qualifying local school
administrative unit. State. From the proposals submitted to the
Subcommittee, the Subcommittee shall approve the establishment of at least nine
laboratory schools.
(a2) Waiver for Certain Local
School Administrative Units. Notwithstanding subsection (a1) of this section,
a chancellor may submit a proposal to the Subcommittee to locate a laboratory
school in a local school administrative unit that does not meet the minimum
threshold for the number of low‑performing schools located in the unit
under G.S. 116‑239.6(4) if the proposal demonstrates that the
laboratory school shall primarily serve students who did not meet expected
growth in the prior school year in accordance with G.S. 116‑239.9(c1).
The Subcommittee may waive the requirement for the number of low‑performing
schools in a local school administrative unit for the location of a laboratory
school, for up to a total of three six laboratory schools
established under this Article, only if both of the following conditions are
met for the laboratory school:
(1) The proposal has been submitted jointly by the chancellor and the local school administrative unit in which the laboratory school will be located.
(2) The Subcommittee determines that the proposed location would satisfy the purposes set forth in G.S. 116‑239.5.
(b) Resolution by the Subcommittee to Approve a Laboratory School. The Subcommittee shall adopt a resolution upon the approval of each laboratory school, which shall include the following:
(1) Name of the laboratory school.
(2) The local school administrative unit in which the laboratory school shall be located.
(3) A term of operation for
the laboratory school of five years from the date of initial operation. At the
end of the initial five years of operation, the Subcommittee shall renew
the term of operation for additional five‑year periods under the
resolution if the laboratory school is still located in a local school
administrative unit that has twenty‑five percent (25%) or more of the
schools located in the unit identified as low‑performing under
G.S. 115C‑105.37, or if the Subcommittee renews a waiver of this
requirement under subsection (a2) of this section, the resolution may be
renewed by the Subcommittee at the end of the term for an additional five
years. section. If the laboratory school is no longer (i) located in
a qualifying local school administrative unit or (ii) meeting the purposes of
this Article under a waiver at the end of five years, the Subcommittee shall
may renew the term of operation for additional five‑year periods under
the resolution if the Subcommittee finds the school is successfully meeting its
mission to improve student performance and provide valuable exposure and
training for teachers and principals in the constituent institution's educator
preparation program. The Subcommittee may terminate operation of any laboratory
school during the initial term of operation or during a five‑year renewal
period if the Subcommittee finds it is failing to meet expected progress toward
meeting the mission of the school consistent with the requirements of this Article.
The Subcommittee shall notify the Board of Governors of the end of the term
of operation of a laboratory school and request designation of
additional constituent institutions with educator preparation programs to
establish a laboratory school in accordance with the provisions of this
Article.
."
SECTION 2.(d) G.S. 116‑239.8(b)(4) reads as rewritten:
"(4) Food and
transportation services. Operation and maintenance of laboratory schools.
The Board of Governors and the State Board of Education shall jointly
determine standards for establishing the costs to local school administrative
units for providing the facilities and services identified in this subdivision for
operation and maintenance of a laboratory school. The standards
shall include the lease amount by square foot for facility leases, which shall
incorporate the cost of the outstanding debt service for the facility. A
local school administrative unit shall provide, at the laboratory school's
request, any of the following facilities and services to the laboratory school,
but the costs of those facilities and services charged to the laboratory school
shall not exceed the established standards for determination of costs. The following
shall be determined in a memorandum of understanding between the chancellor and
the local school administrative unit for the operation and maintenance of the
laboratory school as needed:
a. Facilities and leases. Upon request, the local school administrative unit in which the laboratory school is located shall lease adequate facilities to the constituent institution for use as a laboratory school. Unless the laboratory school requests not to include any of the following, the lease shall include use of or access to any existing buildings, parking areas, playgrounds, driveways required for ingress and egress, furniture, classroom space, a cafeteria or multipurpose room, moveable equipment, appliances, playground materials, including a library collection, instructional materials, and classroom and other technology equipment necessary to operate the laboratory school. The lease term shall be terminated if the laboratory school ceases operation. Upon request, the local school administrative unit shall maintain the facilities and premises of the laboratory school and keep them in good repair and tenantable condition by providing all routine custodial services and routine facilities maintenance services, including routine indoor maintenance, routine mowing, trimming, and maintenance of exterior landscaping and snow removal, and timely repair of the facilities and premises. The chancellor is authorized to execute the lease agreement and memoranda of agreement for the operation of a laboratory school.
b. Transportation services. The Upon
request, the local school administrative unit in which the laboratory
school is located shall provide food services and provide transportation
to students attending who reside in the local school administrative
unit and attend the laboratory school. school, including any
students who are homeless and require assistance pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 11301,
et seq., the McKinney‑Vento Homeless Assistance Act. The requirement to
provide transportation to students residing in the local school administrative
unit shall (i) apply regardless of where a laboratory school student resides in
the unit or how the unit's transportation policies and practices are applied to
other students and (ii) upon request, include providing transportation of
students and personnel for laboratory school extracurricular activities and
educational trips in the same manner as other schools in the unit for that
school year.
c. The Food services. Upon request, the local
school administrative unit in which the laboratory school is located shall
administer the National School Lunch Program for the laboratory school in
accordance with G.S. 115C‑264. The chancellor shall arrange for
the provision of these services from the local school administrative unit.
d. Student support services. Upon request, the local school administrative unit in which the laboratory school is located shall provide any of the following student support services for the operation of the laboratory school, including:
1. Services required by the Department of Public Instruction for children with disabilities.
2. Children and family support services, including social worker and school nurse services.
3. Other health services, including dental screenings, vision screenings, and similar health services that apply to other students enrolled in the local school administrative unit.
4. Parent involvement coordinator services.
5. School counselor services."
SECTION 2.(e) G.S. 116‑239.11 reads as rewritten:
"§ 116‑239.11. State and local funds.
(a) The State Board of Education shall allocate to a laboratory school the following:
(1) An amount equal to the
average per pupil allocation for average daily membership from the local school
administrative unit allotments in which the school is located for each child
attending the laboratory school, except for the allocation for children with disabilities,
disabilities and for the allocation for children with limited
English proficiency, and for the allocation for transportation services.proficiency.
."
SECTION 2.(f) G.S. 116‑239.9 reads as rewritten:
"§ 116‑239.9. Student admissions and assignment.
(a) A child shall be eligible to attend a laboratory school if the child resides in the local school administrative unit in which a laboratory school is located and meets at least one of the following criteria:
(1) Is assigned to a low‑performing school, as defined by G.S. 115C‑105.37 at the time of the student's application.
(2) Did not meet expected growth in the prior school year based on one or more indicators listed in subsection (c1) of this section.
(3) Is the sibling of a child who is eligible under subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection.
(4) Is the child of a laboratory school employee.
(b) No local board of education shall require any student enrolled in the local school administrative unit to attend a laboratory school.
(c) During each period of enrollment, the laboratory school shall enroll an eligible student under subsection (a) of this section who submits a timely application, up to the capacity of a program, class, grade level, or building, in the order in which applications are received. Once enrolled, students are not required to reapply in subsequent enrollment periods. The laboratory school may give enrollment priority to the sibling of an enrolled student who attended the laboratory school in the prior school year.
(c1) For the purposes of this Article, any of the following shall serve as indicators that a student did not meet expected student growth in the prior school year: (i) grades, (ii) observations, (iii) diagnostic and formative assessments, (iv) State assessments, or (v) other factors, including reading on grade level.
(c2) Notwithstanding the requirements of subsection (a) of this section, if a laboratory school has not reached enrollment capacity in a program, class, grade level, or building by March 1, prior to the start of the next school year, the laboratory school may enroll children who reside in the local school administrative unit in which the laboratory school is located but do not meet one of the criteria set forth in subdivisions (1) through (4) of subsection (a) of this section for up to twenty percent (20%) of the total capacity of the program, class, grade level, or building.
(d) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a laboratory school may refuse admission to any student who has been expelled or suspended from a public school under G.S. 115C‑390.5 through G.S. 115C‑390.11 until the period of suspension or expulsion has expired.
(e) Within one year after a laboratory school begins operation, the laboratory school shall make reasonable efforts in the recruitment process for the population of the school to reasonably reflect the racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic composition of the general population of the students residing within the local school administrative unit in which the school is located. A laboratory school shall not unlawfully discriminate when making admissions determinations."
SECTION 2.(g) Section 11.6(d) of S.L. 2016‑94, as amended by Section 4 of S.L. 2017‑117, reads as rewritten:
"SECTION 11.6.(d)
Notwithstanding G.S. 116‑239.5, (i) at least nine six
laboratory schools shall be established pursuant to Article 29A of Chapter
116 of the General Statutes, as enacted by this section, and in operation by
the beginning of the 2019‑2020 2020‑2021 school year
and (ii) at least an additional three laboratory schools shall be established
pursuant to Article 29A of Chapter 116 of the General Statutes and in operation
by the beginning of the 2022‑2023 school year."
SECTION 2.(h) By August 15, 2020, the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina shall transfer the sum of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) in nonrecurring funds from those funds provided for the Future Teachers of North Carolina program for the 2020‑2021 fiscal year to be used for administrative and technical assistance related to the UNC Teacher and Principal Preparation Laboratory School Program for support services. These funds shall not be used to create new positions or to hire additional consultants for The University of North Carolina System Office.
SECTION 2.(i) This section is effective when this act becomes law. Subsection (b) of this section applies to an action or omission of an action occurring on or after the date this act becomes law. Subsection (f) of this section applies beginning with the 2020‑2021 school year. Subsections (d) and (e) of this section apply to leases and agreements entered into on or after the date this act becomes law and apply beginning with the 2021‑2022 school year and subsequent school years. Subsections (d) and (e) shall not apply to or alter existing leases, contracts, or agreements without the consent of all parties to the lease, contract, or agreement. Notwithstanding subsection (e) of this section, if an existing lease, contract, or agreement includes transportation services, the local school administrative unit providing those services shall provide a copy of the lease, contract, or agreement to the Department of Public Instruction, and the Department shall not transfer the transportation allotment to the laboratory school until the existing lease, contract, or agreement expires or is mutually modified by all parties.
part iii. EXTEND REPORT DATE FOR UNC BOARD OF GOVERNORS PLANNING TASK FORCE
SECTION 3. Section 36.6 of S.L. 2018‑5 reads as rewritten:
"SECTION 36.6.(a) There is created the UNC Board of Governors Planning Task Force. The Task Force shall consist of four current Board members appointed by the Board of Governors, one of whom shall be designated as chair. These appointments shall be made no later than August 1, 2018.
"SECTION 36.6.(b) The Task Force shall conduct a systemwide analysis of the capital needs of the campuses of each constituent institution in relation to the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subject area, taking into account the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and needs of each constituent institution, and any regional similarities and differences. The Task Force shall also consider the impact of any relevant programmatic planning elements being currently utilized that could be implemented as a best‑practice among other similar programmatic areas to encourage systemwide efficiencies. In particular, the Task Force shall consider the capital needs relating to the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, the UNC Applied Physical Sciences and Institute for Convergent Science in Chapel Hill, and other STEM projects to determine areas where capital funds may be used more efficiently and effectively. The Task Force shall use the information gathered pursuant to this subsection to compile a UNC System Plan.
"SECTION 36.6.(c) The
three million dollars ($3,000,000) appropriated to the Board of Governors of
The University of North Carolina in Section 36.2 of this act shall be used by
the Task Force in conducting the analysis described in subsection (b) of this
section. On or before April 1, 2019, July 30, 2020, the Task
Force shall submit a report containing the UNC System Plan and any legislative
recommendations to the Joint Legislative Capital Improvements Oversight
Committee and the Fiscal Research Division."
part iV. MODIFY FUTURE TEACHERS OF NORTH CAROLINA
SECTION 4.(a) G.S. 116‑41.30(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b) Program. FTNC
shall be a program providing professional development and curricula for
courses that provide selective, application‑based symposium for
high school juniors and seniors, offering a challenging introduction to
teaching as a profession for high school students through courses offered by
participating high schools in conjunction with college partners. profession.
FTNC courses shall include both content on pedagogy and the profession
of teaching and field experiences for high school students.provide
instruction on pedagogy, ethics and professionalism, child development,
successful teaching strategies and classroom management practices, effective
lesson planning, assessment and intervention, and requirements of teacher
licensure. The FTNC Symposium should provide practical benefits to
participating students, which may include interaction with current educators,
administrators, and educator preparation program faculty members; a simulated
student teaching experience; and information about financial aid and
scholarship opportunities."
SECTION 4.(b) G.S. 116‑41.31 reads as rewritten:
"§ 116‑41.31. Oversight of Future Teachers of North Carolina.
(a) FTNC General Administration. System
Office. FTNC shall be administratively located in The University of North
Carolina System Office. The President shall select three constituent
institutions with highly successful schools of education located in the
western, central, and eastern regions of the State, respectively, to
collaborate on development of curricula for FTNC and to provide professional
development to high school teachers who will teach FTNC courses. The three
constituent institutions shall also work with other constituent institutions
and other institutions of higher education in the State to seek input in the
development of curricula and professional development for FTNC and to create a
network of college faculty to provide support to high schools offering FTNC
courses.establish a Future Teachers of North Carolina Advisory Council
(FTNC Council) to oversee the FTNC program. At the President's discretion, the FTNC
Council shall coordinate with constituent institutions to utilize expertise
from administrators, faculty, and staff members of institutions of higher
education in designing the agenda and instructional content for the FTNC
Symposium. The FTNC Council shall ensure diverse representation of the educator
preparation programs represented at the FTNC Symposium. The FTNC Council shall
also be responsible for creating an application process for interested high
school students, reviewing submitted applications, selecting students to
attend, and recruitment and outreach efforts.
(b) FTNC Site Applications. All high schools in
the State are encouraged to offer FTNC courses to students. A high school shall
apply to offer FTNC courses with the geographically appropriate constituent
institution overseeing FTNC and shall ensure that all teachers teaching FTNC
courses have received appropriate training. High schools shall also seek a
partner institution of higher education to provide support from college
faculty. High schools participating in the FTNC program shall report
demographic, survey, and other available outcome data to The University of North
Carolina System Office as necessary for completion of the FTNC annual report
required by G.S. 116‑41.32.
(c) FTNC Institution of Higher Education Partners.
Constituent institutions that partner with high schools shall offer dual credit
for high school students who successfully complete the FTNC course with a grade
of "B" or higher. Other institutions of higher education that partner
with high schools are encouraged to offer dual credit for high school students
who successfully complete the FTNC course with a grade of "B" or
higher. Constituent institutions shall provide annually to The University of
North Carolina System Office data on students who have received dual credit for
completion of an FTNC course and students who applied for admission into an educator
preparation program at a constituent institution who indicated in the
application for admission that the student completed an FTNC course. Other
institutions of higher education are encouraged to provide annually to The
University of North Carolina System Office data on students who have received
dual credit for completion of an FTNC course and students who applied for
admission into an educator preparation program at the institution of higher
education who indicated in the application for admission that the student
completed an FTNC course."
SECTION 4.(c) G.S. 116‑41.32 reads as rewritten:
"§ 116‑41.32. Future Teachers of North Carolina reporting.
The University of North Carolina
System Office shall report annually, beginning October 15, 2019, 2021,
on the following:
(1) Total number and names
of local school administrative units with List of high schools and
local school administrative units represented by participating in FTNC,
total number and names of high schools offering FTNC, partner institution of
higher education for each high school, and number of sections of the course
being offered at each high school.students.
(1a) Number of students who submitted an application to attend the FTNC Symposium.
(1b) Number of students attending the FTNC Symposium, including distribution by region.
(2) Demographic information
of students enrolled in FTNC courses.attending the FTNC Symposium.
(2a) Description of the event agenda and content.
(3) Percentage of students who,
after completing the course, attending the FTNC Symposium, reported
the following:
a. The student plans to choose teaching as a profession.
a1. The student plans to enroll in a community college, a constituent institution, a private postsecondary institution located in North Carolina, or a postsecondary institution located in another state.
b. The course FTNC
Symposium was very or somewhat effective in helping the student formulate a
positive perception of the education profession.
c. The coursework and
activities FTNC Symposium increased the student's knowledge of the
teaching profession and other careers in education.
d. The field experience helped the student
understand the many factors that contribute to effective teaching.
(4) Percentage of students who completed an FTNC
course who received dual credit for successful completion of the course, by
institution.
(5) Percentage of students who completed an FTNC
course who applied for admission into an educator preparation program, by
institution.
(6) Number of teachers provided professional
development for FTNC."
part v. MODIFY NC TEACHING FELLOWS PROGRAM
SECTION 5.(a) G.S. 116‑209.62, as amended by subsections (b) and (c) of this section, reads as rewritten:
"§ 116‑209.62. North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program established; administration.
(f) Program Selection
Criteria. The Authority shall administer the Program in cooperation with five
up to eight institutions of higher education with approved educator
preparation programs selected by the Commission that represent a diverse
selection of both postsecondary constituent institutions of The University
of North Carolina and private postsecondary institutions operating in the
State. The Commission shall adopt stringent standards for selection of the most
effective educator preparation programs, including the following:
(1) Demonstrates high rates of educator effectiveness on value‑added models and teacher evaluations, including using performance‑based, subject‑specific assessment and support systems, such as edTPA or other metrics of evaluating candidate effectiveness that have predictive validity.
(2) Demonstrates measurable impact of prior graduates on student learning, including impact of graduates teaching in STEM or special education licensure areas.
(3) Demonstrates high rates of graduates passing exams required for teacher licensure.
(4) Provides curricular and co‑curricular enhancements in leadership, facilitates learning for diverse learners, and promotes community engagement, classroom management, and reflection and assessment.
(5) Requires at least a minor concentration of study in the subject area that the candidate may teach.
(6) Provides early and frequent internship or practical experiences, including the opportunity for participants to perform practicums in diverse school environments.
(7) Is approved by the State Board of Education as an educator preparation program.
(g) Awards of Forgivable
Loans. The Program shall provide forgivable loans to selected students to be
used at the five up to eight selected institutions for completion
of a program leading to initial teacher licensure as follows:
."
SECTION 5.(b) G.S. 116‑209.62(c)(3) reads as rewritten:
"(3) The Authority shall
provide the Commission with up to six hundred thousand dollars ($600,000) from
the Trust Fund in each fiscal year for the Commission to provide mentoring and
coaching support to forgivable loan recipients through the North Carolina New
Teacher Support Program as follows:
a. Up in an amount of up to two
thousand two hundred dollars ($2,000) ($2,200) for each
Program recipient recipient. Funds shall be prioritized for teachers serving
as a teacher in a North Carolina public school schools identified
as low‑performing under G.S. 115C‑105.37.
b. Up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each
Program recipient serving as a teacher in a North Carolina public school not
identified as low‑performing under G.S. 115C‑105.37."
SECTION 5.(c) G.S. 116‑209.62(g)(4) reads as rewritten:
"(4) Students
matriculating at institutions of higher education who are changing to enrollment
in an approved program of study at a selected educator preparation
program. Forgivable loans of up to four thousand one hundred twenty‑five
dollars ($4,125) per semester for up to four semesters."
SECTION 5.(d) Subsection (a) of this section applies to the award of forgivable loans beginning with the 2022‑2023 academic year. Subsection (b) of this section becomes effective July 1, 2020.
part VI. exempt north carolina school of the arts and north carolina school of science and mathematics from public school unit DEFINITION
SECTION 6.(a) G.S. 115C‑5 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(3a) The governing body of a public school unit is the following:
a. For a local school administrative unit, the local board of education.
b. For a charter school, the nonprofit corporation board of directors.
c. For a regional school, the regional school board of directors.
d. For a school operated under Article 7A and Article 9C of this Chapter, the State Board of Education.
e. For a school operated under Article 29A of Chapter 116 of the General Statutes, the chancellor of the constituent institution."
SECTION 6.(b) G.S. 115C‑5(7a) reads as rewritten:
"(7a) Public school unit. Any of the following:
a. A local school administrative unit.
b. A charter school.
c. A regional school.
d. A school providing elementary or secondary instruction operated by one of the following:
1. The State Board of Education, including schools operated under Article 7A and Article 9C of this Chapter.
2. The University of North Carolina,
including schools operated under Articles 4, 29, and Carolina under
Article 29A of Chapter 116 of the General Statutes."
SECTION 6.(c) G.S. 115C‑238.81(c) reads as rewritten:
"(c) Within funds available, NCVPS shall provide NCVPS courses at no cost to all students in North Carolina who are enrolled in North Carolina's public school units, Department of Defense schools, schools operated by The University of North Carolina under Articles 4 and 29 of Chapter 116 of the General Statutes, and schools operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs."
part Vii. Police officer position exemption
SECTION 7. G.S. 126‑5 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"(c16) Except as to the provisions of Articles 6, 7, and 8 of this Chapter, the provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to commissioned police officer positions of the University of North Carolina. Employees in positions covered by this exception shall be eligible for all employment and retirement benefits provided to State law enforcement officers subject to this Chapter."
part VIII. MILLENNIAL campus designation for unc‑affiliated INSTITUTIONS
SECTION 8.(a) G.S. 116‑198.33 reads as rewritten:
As used in this Article, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context shall indicate another or different meaning or intent:
(3) The word "Institution" shall mean North Carolina State University at Raleigh and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, or a constituent institution or affiliated institution of The University of North Carolina with a Millennial Campus as defined by G.S. 116‑198.33(4b).
(4b) The term "Millennial Campus" means all real property and appurtenant facilities designated by the Board of Governors as part of a Millennial Campus of a constituent institution or affiliated institution of The University of North Carolina other than North Carolina State University or the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The properties designated by the Board of Governors do not have to be contiguous with the constituent institution or an affiliated institution to be designated as part of the institution's Millennial Campus.
."
SECTION 8.(b) G.S. 116‑198.34(8b) reads as rewritten:
"(8b) Acting on
recommendation made by the President of The University of North Carolina after
consultation by the President with the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees of
a constituent institution, or by the President with the chief executive officer
or equivalent executive position for an affiliated institution, to
designate real property held by, or to be acquired by, a constituent
institution or an affiliated institution as a "Millennial
Campus" of the institution. That designation shall be based on an express
finding by the Board of Governors that the institution desiring to create a
"Millennial Campus" has the administrative and fiscal capability to
create and maintain such a campus and provided further, that the Board of
Governors has found that the creation of the constituent institution's or
affiliated institution's "Millennial Campus" will enhance the
institution's research, teaching, and service missions as well as enhance the
economic development of the region served by the institution. Upon formal
request by the constituent institutions, the Board of Governors may
authorize two or more constituent institutions which meet the
requirements of this section to create a joint Millennial Campus."
PART VIII‑A. ACCELERATED DEGREE COMPLETION STUDY BY UNC
SECTION 8A.(a) The Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina shall study the feasibility of offering accelerated undergraduate degree programs at constituent institutions that are effective and efficient for students while remaining consistent with the access and affordability goals of the Strategic Plan for The University of North Carolina adopted by the Board of Governors. In conducting the study, the Board of Governors shall consider at least the following factors:
(1) The use of online education for certain courses to shorten time to degree completion, particularly for general education requirements.
(2) The feasibility of increasing summer term options or flexible calendar scheduling to accelerate degree completion.
(3) The potential for piloting specific accelerated degree program models, such as three‑year degree programs, combined bachelor's and master's degree programs, and competency‑based programs. In reviewing potential pilot programs, the Board of Governors shall determine (i) whether a pilot program would be required or optional for constituent institutions, (ii) the type of flexibility that would be allowed during a pilot program, and (iii) whether incentive funding through the funding formula should be tied to constituent institutions relative to such a program.
(4) Any obstacles or needed changes to State financial aid programs or the university funding model to incentivize accelerated paths to a degree.
(5) The potential cost savings to students who enroll in accelerated degree programs, including any reduction to tuition and fees.
(6) Any possible shifts in curriculum design to focus on specialized skills earlier in the degree program.
(7) Issues related to student support to facilitate successful completion of requirements, selection of majors early in programs, and the management of increased student coursework loads in accelerated degree programs.
(8) The importance of credit transfers from college level high school courses, community college courses, or courses from other institutions to maximize accelerated degree program efficiency.
(9) The level of student interest and demand for accelerated degree programs.
SECTION 8A.(b) By March 1, 2021, the Board of Governors shall report on the results of the study and any recommendations to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee.
SECTION 8A.(c) This section becomes effective July 1, 2020.
part IX. APPLICABILITY OF HOUSE BILL 966, 2019 REGULAR SESSION
SECTION 9.(a) If House Bill 966, 2019 Regular Session, becomes law, Sections 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.12, and 8A.6 of that act are repealed.
SECTION 9.(b) If House Bill 966, 2019 Regular Session, becomes law, and any provision of that act or a provision of the Committee Report described in Section 42.2 of that act conflicts with this act, this act shall control.
part x. miscellaneous
SECTION 10.(a) The provisions of the State Budget Act, Chapter 143C of the General Statutes, are reenacted and shall remain in full force and effect and are incorporated in this act by reference.
SECTION 10.(b) Except where expressly repealed or amended by this act, the provisions of any other legislation enacted during the 2019 Regular Session of the General Assembly expressly appropriating funds to an agency, a department, or an institution covered under this act shall remain in effect.
part XI. effective date
SECTION 11. Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes law.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 25th day of June, 2020.
s/ Daniel J. Forest
President of the Senate
s/ Tim Moore
Speaker of the House of Representatives
s/ Roy Cooper
Governor
Approved 12:20 p.m. this 30th day of June, 2020