Tansey Topics: A Weekly Look at What's Happening at BCCC | Eastern North Carolina Now

    When the North Carolina legislature convenes in January 2015, the North Carolina Community College Presidents and system office are expected to make a "significant pay increase" for our faculty and staff the top priority in the expansion budget - which funds new programs and expenses - for the 2015-2016 fiscal year. That's the good news that I was delighted to share with our faculty, staff and community college leaders on Wednesday at the BCCC Update. But there's bad news about the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year that I also shared at the meeting. Community college leaders were recently told that the Office of State Budget and Management expects the community college system to cut $20.8 million out of its operating budget for 2015-2016. After much discussion, the system presidents decided to recommend specific program cuts rather than settling for another round of across-the-board cuts. The presidents recommended the elimination of the state's Small Business Centers and cuts in customized training programs. The presidents' recommendations also called for the elimination of Minority Male Mentoring funding which would affect our campus as well. The recommendations include a tuition increase of $1.50 per credit hour for our students. Note that the state community college board has already changed these recommendations and more information will be available in the next edition of Tansey Topics. I will continue to update you on the budget proposals as they move to the General Assembly beginning in January.

    Meanwhile, Dr. Jay Sullivan, Vice President of Research and Institutional Effectiveness, has compiled a portrait of the "typical" BCCC curriculum student for the Fall 2014 Semester. Her name is Ashley. She is 27 years old and has a Washington address. She is taking four classes that correspond to 10 credit hours. Those who could not attend the BCCC update on Wednesday can learn more about "Ashley" in the document that is attached. Thanks to Jay for his work on this project!

    Here's a look at other BCCC events happening on campus and in the community:

Administrative Services

• Open enrollment continues through Friday, October 31, for participants in the State Health Plan and N.C. Flex. This is your chance to elect new benefits or drop others. The Human Resources Office will schedule sessions beginning next week for those who have questions about enrollment to visit the office for answers to questions or help with enrollment.

BCCC Foundation

• In news regarding the Digital Sign Campaign, Foundation Director Judy Jennette reports that $52,198.32 in donations and pledges has been received, over 60 percent of the way towards the final goal! To make a donation, contact Judy at 252-940-6326.
• The deadline to register for the discounted rate for the trip to Ireland is fast approaching. The cost of the trip, planned for April 21 to 30, 2015, is $3,359 per person, double occupancy, including air transportation. The price will rise $350 per person after the early booking deadline of Monday, November 10. Only a few seats are left for the trip, so be sure to register soon to take advantage of the discount and to ensure your place. To register, contact Donna Burgin with New Trends in Travel at 252-9457403 or by email at donnaburgin18@gmail.com. For information about the trip or to receive a brochure, contact Judy or Foundation Specialist Marcia Norwood at 252-940-6218.
• Judy reports that all who participated in the Foundation trips to Durham to see musical performances at the Durham Performing Arts Center this fall enjoyed the trip. So, Mark your calendars to participate in three upcoming Foundation day trips to Durham to see musicals MOTOWN on February 21, Kinky Boots on March 14, and Newsies on June 6. More information on these trips will be available from the Foundation in coming weeks.

Continuing Education

• The second cohort of Certified Production Technician students received their certifications at a ceremony held recently on the BCCC campus, marking their completion of the program. The Certified Production Technician coursework involves training recognized by the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council in four critical production areas - Safety, Quality and Continuous Improvement, Manufacturing Processes and Production and Maintenance Awareness. The training is funded by a $120,000 North Carolina Back-to-Work grant. Congratulations to Clay Buck, James Conner, James Shepherd, Michael Matthews, David Miller, Wayne O'Conney, Scott Woolard and Graham Young. Most of those completing the program are full-time students who took on this additional class for the added credential. Thanks to Director of Workforce Initiatives Lou Stout and her team for their efforts with this project.
• The Division of Continuing Education gave 207 tests during its "See for Free" event, held during a two-week period in late September and early October. As part of the statewide event, BCCC and other community colleges waived the $24 fee for the four subject areas of the GED® Ready Test. The GED® Ready Test gives those who take it a preview of their ability to successfully complete their high school equivalency exam. Of those who took the test, 44 passed at least one section and 22 official GED® tests were scheduled. Of those taking the GED®, 16 reported passing scores, according to Penelope Radcliffe, Basic Skills Recruitment and Assessment Specialist. Thanks to Penelope and the Basic Skills staff and faculty for this outstanding event.
• A new session of BCCC's popular Small Engine Repair Class is scheduled to begin Tuesday, November 4 in the newly-renovated classroom in Building 8A. The class will meet 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The newly-renovated shop now features new hand tool sets, an air compressor, air powered tools, a parts washer, and other amenities. Students are encouraged to bring their own small equipment pieces to tune-up and repair. The registration fee is $110.25, including student insurance. For more information about this class or BCCC's Personal Enrichment Programs, contact Carter at 940-6357 or by email at clayc@beaufortccc.edu. Thanks to Clay for these improvements in the class and classroom!

Gulls on the Run

• Gulls on the Run T-shirts are currently on sale. The cost is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. The club will place its orders on Monday, November 10. And don't forget the group runs/walks sponsored by Gulls on the Run, BCCC's running club. The group generally follows the IM FITT trail and leave at 3 p.m. on Mondays and noon on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from the circle in front of Building 1. For more information on the T-shirt sales or group walks, contact Advisor, Michele Mayo, at michelem@beaufortccc.edu. And watch for information about a new club fund-raiser at the local Pizza Inn. Thanks to Michele and club members for these activities to help us get fit.

Landscaping Notes

• BCCC has been selected by N.C. Beautiful, WRAL television and Capital Broadcasting to receive 50 azaleas as part of N.C. Beautiful's 29th annual Azalea Celebration. The celebration rewards North Carolina community groups for improving their communities through creative landscape projects. The azaleas have been planted on various parts of the campus and should be in full bloom next spring. Thanks to Grant Writer Sara Singleton and Grounds and Landscaping Coordinator Mike Pensock and his team for their work on this project.

Spring Registration

• Registration for Spring Semester 2015 begins next week. Registration for graduating students starts Monday with New Student Orientation Scheduled for Tuesday at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Registration will continue through November 7. Spring 2015 Semester begins Wednesday, January 7. Thanks to Dr. Crystal Ange, Vice President of Academics, Rick Anderson, Vice President of Student Services, and their teams for their work on Spring Registration.

Personal and Personnel Notes

• Vice President of Administrative Services Mark Nelson recently attended the five-day Community College Financial Institute Basic Training Course at Nash Community College. Attendees were given an overview of administrative services functions and how they operate. Vice President of Continuing Education Stacey Gerard has been accepted to the N.C. Community College Leadership Academy. Vice President of Research and Institutional Effectiveness Jay Sullivan has been appointed to a statewide committee that is reviewing the performance measures for the community college system. Congratulations to all for these accomplishments.
• Thanks very much to all of the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners, Beaufort County Sheriff, Beaufort County Clerk of Court and N.C. General Assembly candidates who took the time to visit BCCC during this campaign season. I am delighted that all of our candidates for these public offices have spent time on our campus and have learned about issues facing our community college and other community colleges throughout the state. Don't forget that early voting is already under way and that the election is Tuesday, November 4.
• Lots of congratulations are in order this week. First, kudos to BCCC's two teams that participated in the Washington/Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce Trivia Bee earlier this week. Pauline Godley, Gail Ambrose, Jay Martin and Liz Shinohara comprised the Information Station Team. Keith Lyon, Judy Jennette, Saundra Pinkham and Marshall Hall comprised the Fantastic Faculty Team. Gail commented that the two teams had fun and learned a few things they did not know - like the number of hearts an octopus has and the color of hippopotamus milk!
• Congratulations also to Norlina Kelly, a Medical Office Administration student here at BCCC, for winning the East Carolina Wildfowl Guild Award in the Beaufort County Arts Council's Fine Arts Show. Her work, Pamlico Havens, won the award for best entry in depicting eastern North Carolina wildlife.
• Next, congratulations to the winners of the One Day at BCCC photo contest. Toneshia D. Roberson won the best photo by a student with a group photo of friends. Casey Boyd was runner-up in that category with the photo A Creek Runs Through It; Kim Moulden won the best photo by a faculty member with a photo of herself and new cosmetology instructor Dora Scherer. Director of Personal Enrichment Programs Clay Carter won the best photo by a staff member with a photograph of Small Engine Repair Instructor Tom Rogers and a student. The winners will receive a gift certificate to the College Grill. You can see these photos in the November edition of Campus Connections and on the BCCC Facebook page.
• Finally, congratulations to Customized Training Coordinator Lauren Dudley and her husband, Stuart, on the birth this week of a baby boy, Bradley Stuart Dudley.

And in the coming weeks, watch for the following:

October 27	Spring 2015 registration for graduating and returning students begins.
October 28 to November 7	Spring Registration for new and returning students.
October 28	New student orientation.
October 30	Celebrate Halloween with the SGA.
November 4	Gamma Beta Phi, meeting, noon, Room 1220, Building 12.
November 4	Men of Success, meeting, noon, Room 112, Building 1.
November 4	Professional Development - Using Interactive Whiteboards in Instruction, noon, Room 104, Building 1.
November 4	Faculty Senate Executive Council, meeting, noon, Conference Room, Building 12.
November 7	Division of Student Services, meeting, 8:30 a.m., Room 928, Building 9. November 10 Veteran’s Breakfast, 9 a.m., Student Lounge, Building 9.
November 11	Holiday.

    Beaufort County Community College is a public comprehensive community college committed to accessible and affordable quality education, effective teaching, relevant training, and lifelong learning opportunities for the people served by the College.