The NC General Assembly today approved a compromise biennium budget that appropriates more than $23 billion for the operation of NC state government in both years of the FY 2017-2019 biennium, including funds for K-12 public schools the community college system and the university system.

Apparent impacts on NCSSM include:

• All UNC SHRA employees receive raises of $1,000
• All UNC EHRA employees receive raises of up to $1,000
• NC public school teachers and NCSSM faculty receive average compensation increases of 3.3%, which in most cases is equivalent to $1,000 or more
• NCSSM held harmless from management flexibility budget reductions
• NCSSM western campus planning funds excluded from reversion. This means that the balance is not applied to our carry-forward authority of approximately $500,000, allowing the planning of the Morganton campus to proceed without negative impact on current operations of the Durham campus.
• UNC system receives 50% of $125,000,000 in capital repair & renovation funds, of which $11 million is earmarked, leaving approximately $51 million systemwide. Specific impact on NCSSM to be determined.
• UNC system enrollment growth fully funded. Specific impact on NCSSM to be determined.
• NCSSM Tuition Grant made available to 2018 graduates attending UNC schools for their freshman year only. Note that the budget does not provide for subsequent years or subsequent classes. We are hopeful that appropriators will make provisions for such on a recurring basis during next year’s short session.

As the budget legislation and related reports comprise more than 1,000 pages, more analysis will be forthcoming. And as always, we are grateful for the ongoing support of our elected leaders for the mission of NCSSM.