WCC Board of Trustees Meeting December 09, 2021

WCC Board of Trustees Meeting December 09, 2021

WILKESBORO, N.C. – The Wilkes Community College Board of Trustees met on Thursday, December 09, at John A. Walker Center for a holiday luncheon.

The business session began with the approval of the minutes from the October 21, 2021, Board of Trustees meeting.

College President’s Report

            Dr.  Cox gave an update on enrollment, budget projections and staffing implications, and the WCC Education Promise scholarship fund raising campaign.

Chairperson’s Report

Jay Vannoy, chair of the Board of Trustees, announced the NCACCT Leadership Seminar for the trustees is scheduled for March 30 – April 1, Raleigh, NC.

Program and Planning Committee

The board approved the Preferred or Non-Legal Name Policy as presented by the Program and Planning committee. While a person’s legal name is used by default, WCC recognizes a student’s need or choice to refer to themselves by a first name other than their legal first name. A policy was developed to give students this option.

Buildings and Grounds Committee

            Trustees approved an Accessible Restrooms Renovation Project that will address the need for updates in Thompson Hall and Hayes Hall. Due to the age of the buildings and the building code at the time of the original construction, there are no accessible restrooms in Thompson Hall and Hayes Hall. The renovation will provide the needed updates to provide accessible restrooms for both the first and second floor of these buildings.

Finance Committee

            The 2021-2023 biennial state budget bill was passed by the NC Legislature and signed into law by the governor on November 18. Allocations to colleges will occur after the State Board of Community Colleges approves the system budget and related policies. Some of the highlights of the budget include the following:

• Budget stabilization funds (nonrecurring) to reduce the financial impact of enrollment declines resulting from COVID-19
• Salary increases of 2.5% for each year of the biennium for faculty and staff
• Bonuses of $1,500 for employees with annual salaries under $75,000 or $1,000 for employees with annual salaries over $75,000, payable in January 2022
• Establishes a minimum hourly rate of $13 for state-funded part-time employees for 21/22and $15 for 22/23Funding to assist colleges in recruiting and retaining faculty in high-demand fields
• State capital funding for WCC of $5,514,320 to be used for new construction, repairs, and renovations (timing of availability unknown)
• Capital project limit for State Construction monitoring increases from $500,000 to $2,000,000

The WCC Board of Trustees will meet again on January 06, 2022, at the John A. Walker Center Lakey Ballroom.

Wilkes Community College, a member of the North Carolina Community College System, is a public, two-year, open-door institution serving the people of Wilkes, Ashe, and Alleghany counties and beyond. Established in 1965, WCC continues to build on a strong history of meeting the educational needs and cultural interests of our students, community, and workforce. WCC prepares learners for success in a dynamic world.