A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT authorizing the state board of community colleges to approve the establishment of bachelors degree programs at community colleges.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 115D‑2(2) reads as rewritten:
"§ 115D‑2.  Definitions.
As used in this Chapter:
. . .
(2)	The term "community college" is defined as an educational institution operating under the provisions of this Chapter and dedicated primarily to the educational needs of the service area which it serves, and may offer.
a.	The freshmen and sophomore courses of a college of arts and sciences, authorized by G.S. 115D‑4.1;
a1.	The junior and senior courses of a college of arts and sciences, authorized by G.S. 115D-4.2;
b.	Organized credit curricula for the training of technicians; curricular courses may carry transfer credit to a senior college or university where the course is comparable in content and quality and is appropriate to a chosen course of study;
c.	Vocational, trade, and technical specialty courses and programs, and
d.	Courses in general adult education."
SECTION 2.  Chapter 115D of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 115D‑4.2.  Bachelors degree program approval; standards for programs.
(a)	The State Board of Community Colleges may approve the addition of a bachelors degree program to a community college. If addition of the program to an institution would require a substantial increase in funds, State Board approval shall be subject to appropriation of funds by the General Assembly for this purpose.
(c)	Addition of the bachelors degree program shall not decrease an institution's ability to provide programs within its basic mission of vocational and technical training and basic academic education.
(d)	The State Board of Community Colleges shall develop appropriate criteria and standards to regulate the addition of the bachelors degree program to institutions.
(e)	The State Board of Community Colleges shall develop appropriate criteria and standards to regulate the operation of bachelors degree programs. The criteria and standards shall require all bachelors degree programs to continue to meet the accreditation standards of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
The State Board of Community Colleges shall report annually to the General Assembly on compliance of the community colleges with these criteria and standards."
SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2003.