A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to establish the EVE CARSON/ABHIJIT MAHATO COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM for students at public and private colleges and universities.
Whereas, the constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina and the State's private colleges and universities seek to solve societal problems and to foster in their students a sense of the obligations and rewards of citizenship; and
Whereas, North Carolina seeks to enhance the educational experience offered to students in its institutions of higher learning and to extend the benefits of these great institutions to the people of the State; and
Whereas, volunteering links individuals from different walks of life for the good of society; and
Whereas, societies with high levels of volunteerism tend to have higher levels of economic growth and lower rates of crime, interracial conflict, and school absenteeism; and
Whereas, a program that unites college students with public school‑aged students in a positive manner will help to serve those public school‑aged students who are at risk of falling behind academically or socially and, therefore, more susceptible to negative influences; and
Whereas, a community service program requiring mentoring and tutoring of school‑aged students will help to address issues related to an increase in the dropout rate among school‑aged students, the proliferation of gang activity across the State, and other issues affecting the ability of school‑aged students to succeed in the public school system and beyond; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 116‑11 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(15)	The Board of Governors shall establish a community service program for baccalaureate degree candidates enrolled in the University System. This program shall be known as the "Eve Carson/Abhijit Mahato Community Service Program". Under this program, students shall provide mentoring and tutoring services for a minimum of 20 hours per semester to public school‑aged children across the State through school programs, faith‑based programs, or other service programs.
The purposes of this program are to (i) provide students the opportunity to contribute to the State's economic well‑being while experiencing internal and external benefits, (ii) instill in students the importance of civic engagement through volunteerism, (iii) strengthen the relationship between the university, the student, and the community, (iv) provide school‑aged children with teachers and role models who will encourage them to succeed in the public school system and inspire school‑aged children to become productive citizens in society.
Participation in this program shall be a requirement for any baccalaureate degree awarded after January 1, 2012."
SECTION 2.  G.S. 116‑21.1(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	Funds shall be appropriated each fiscal year in the Current Operations Appropriations Act to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina for aid to institutions and shall be disbursed in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 116‑19, 116‑21, and 116.22 to institutions that require their students to participate in the Eve Carson/Abhijit Mahato Community Service Program, established pursuant to G.S. 116‑11(15), as a requirement for any baccalaureate degree awarded after January 1, 2012."
SECTION 3.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction the sum of two hundred thirty thousand dollars ($230,000) for the 2008‑2009 fiscal year.  These funds shall be allotted  to local school administrative units on a per unit basis and used to coordinate with the Eve Carson/ Abhijit Mahato Community Service Program.
SECTION 4.  This act is effective when it becomes law.