SALISBURY, N.C. — RCCC administrators and faculty and staff members have worked closely over the last three months to identify ways the college could reduce costs in light of a $600,000-decrease in state funding. According to RCCC President Richard Brownell, the college’s efforts have been successful.       

            “The college will extend contracts to our full-time faculty and staff for the academic year as we normally do,” Brownell said, “and we anticipate no full-time personnel reductions for the remainder of the academic year. At the same time, we’ll continue to serve our students and community partners with no interruptions in our programs.”

            RCCC’s state funding is tied directly to full-time student enrollment. RCCC’s enrollment dipped in 2006-2007, following a statewide decline in community college headcount and bringing with it a decrease in state funding for the current academic year.

            To offset the budget deficit, RCCC hired fewer part-time faculty members for the fall semester, increased the teaching loads of some full-time faculty and consolidated some class sections. RCCC also will reduce spending for travel, some supplies and other operational expenses.

            Based on its current fall semester enrollment numbers, RCCC’s tight budget situation should be short lived. The number of full-time students at RCCC jumped 16 percent, and overall student headcount is up 11 percent over last year. RCCC’s enrollment growth means the college likely will receive increased state funding next year and probably some additional state dollars this year.

            RCCC is eligible to receive a share of $2 million in a state reserve fund for community colleges with full-time enrollment increases of 5 percent or more. The amount of RCCC’s share, which would come later this year, will depend on how many other community colleges in North Carolina have seen a full-time enrollment lift 5 percent or more.

            While responding to its current budget situation, RCCC continues to plan for future growth and community needs. RCCC is developing and seeking approval from the North Carolina Community College System to offer new associate degree programs in biotechnology and agricultural biotechnology. These programs are needed to meet the future workforce demands of the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis.

            RCCC also will maintain its ongoing student recruitment efforts. The college will host an open house for prospective students of all ages Oct. 23 at its South Campus in Concord, and Oct. 25 at the North Campus in Salisbury.

           Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is a comprehensive, community-based institution of higher learning, serving the citizens of Rowan and Cabarrus Counties. RCCC offers approximately 40 programs of study in business, health and human services and engineering technologies at multiple campus locations. RCCC annually provides more than 2,000 course offerings, serving an enrollment of approximately 20,000 adult students. RCCC programs include an associate degree in arts and sciences, an associate degree in applied science, and diploma and certificate programs focusing on workforce training, continuing education and basic skills education.

           In addition, RCCC provides the education and job-training programs needed to meet many of the workforce demands of the North Carolina Research Campus, under construction in Kannapolis, N.C.

           For complete details, see the RCCC website at www.rowancabarrus.edu.