Cook Comments on Passage of Elizabeth City State University Senate Budget Amendment | Eastern North Carolina Now

News Release:

    Raleigh, N.C.     A current provision in the North Carolina Senate budget prompts the formation of a study done by the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina. This study would look into the feasibility of dissolving any institution whose fall full-time enrollment declined by more than 20 percent in the 2010-2011 and 2012-2013 fiscal years.

    If passed, the bill would require the Board of Governors to report its findings and recommendations, including the plan for dissolution, to the 2015 General Assembly. Elizabeth City State University falls into this category because it has seen a 33 percent drop in enrollment from 2010 to 2013.

    Senator Bill Cook (R-District 1) issued the following statement on the Senate budget provision that would affect Elizabeth City State University:

    "ECSU has had its fair share of problems in the past few years, but I do not think this study is the best way to begin addressing them," Cook said. "I have prepared an amendment and after my discussion with Senate leadership they have agreed to support the elimination of the provision completely from the budget."

    In a 2010 study it was shown that ECSU brought in $112 million in output sales, $83 million in added value and provided over 1,500 jobs to the area. The university is a great asset to the economy, community and the UNC system.


     300 N. Salisbury Street
     Room 525 • Raleigh, NC 27603

    Phone: (919) 715-8293  •  Fax: (919) 754-3296  •  bill.cook@ncleg.net