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  G.S. 116‑17.3 is repealed.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:

"§ 116‑198.33.  Definitions.

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