A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to ensure that adequate funds are available for community college enrollment increases.
Whereas, community college enrollment is funded on the basis of the number of students attending the prior school year and not the number of students who actually enroll during the current school year; and
Whereas, in the current economy, community colleges across the State are experiencing significant increases in the enrollment of displaced workers, transitional workers, and persons entering postsecondary school for the first time in many years; and
Whereas, these workers require intensive instructional and support services to develop the skills and competence they need to find good jobs and be productive workers; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Community Colleges System Office the sum of two million dollars ($2,000,000) for the 2004‑2005 fiscal year to create a contingency reserve fund for enrollment increases. The State Board of Community Colleges shall use these funds to increase the FTE allotment for the spring semester of the 2004‑2005 school year at colleges that experience a total enrollment growth for the fall semester of the 2004‑2005 school year of over ten percent (10%). Each such college shall receive an increase in its FTE allotment for the spring semester equal to the amount the enrollment increase exceeded ten percent (10%), insofar as funds are available within the enrollment reserve.
Funds not expended or encumbered for this purpose shall revert to the General Fund at the end of the 2004‑2005 fiscal year.
The State Board of Community Colleges shall adopt rules to determine eligibility for funds from the contingency reserve.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2004.