In a nearly final step of North Carolina’s biennial budgeting process, representatives of the Senate, House and the Office of the Governor have convened in conference committee to negotiate a budget compromise incorporating priorities from all three entities.   NCSSM has lots to be grateful for in the budgets proposed by both chambers and the governor, all of which indicate a great appreciation for our educational mission and genuine support for our students. Highlights include:  

• Fully funded enrollment growth for NCSSM-Morganton [proposed by Gov. Cooper, NC Senate and NC House and likely agreed upon in conference]
• Distance education enrollment growth [proposed by Gov. Cooper, NC Senate and NC House and likely agreed upon in conference]
• Pandemic emergency funding of $1.36 million [proposed by NC House and likely agreed upon in conference]
• $7 million in repair & renovation funding for NCSSM-Morganton, which will allow us to bring historic Joiner Hall and the iconic Cattle Barn into scope by next fall. Joiner Hall will house our Humanities Department, and the Cattle Barn is being converted into an auditorium for school assemblies and performances and other events [proposed by NC Senate and NC House and likely agreed upon in conference]
• $5 million in new construction funding for NCSSM-Morganton, a match for more than $5 million in private funds raised to construct a student wellness and activity center [proposed by NC Senate and NC House and likely agreed upon in conference]
• $26.75 million in repair & renovation funding for NCSSM-Durham, which will be combined with more than $10 million raised to date for campus improvements [proposed by Gov. Cooper, NC Senate and NC House and likely agreed upon in conference]
• UNC System Tuition Grant for NCSSM graduates, which will fund four years of tuition at a System institution, retroactive to the class of 2021 [proposed by NC Senate and NC House and likely agreed upon in conference]
• AP Testing fees paid for NCSSM students, equitable with all other NC public school students [proposed by NC House and likely agreed upon in conference]
• $500,000 targeted funding for small-scale and special purpose institutions such as NCSSM [proposed only in Gov. Cooper’s budget]
• Compensation increases of between 3-7.5% across the biennium and possibly bonuses. Gov. Cooper proposed a 7.5% increase with a bonus of $2,000. The NC Senate proposed a 3% increase for all state employees, a one-time bonus of $1,500 for those earning less than $75,000 annually, and a $1,000 bonus for those earning more than $75,000 a year. The NC House proposed a 5% increase for state employees, with 5.5% for public school teachers and more for other high-demand fields, such as corrections officers, but excludes UNC System EHRA non-faculty earning $95,000 or more from any compensation increases.

Regarding compensation, the UNC System and NCSSM are asking that all of our employees be treated equitably with other state employees. As background, UNC System employees, including NCSSM employees, have received no legislated pay increases during the last four years. Therefore, we ask that NCSSM faculty receive the same compensation increases as their K-12 peers, and that our other team members receive the same compensation increases as their state employee peers.  

“We are incredibly grateful for the budgetary support proposed by the NC Senate, the NC House and the Governor,” said Brock Winslow, Vice Chancellor for External Relations. “We are hopeful for a final budget agreement supportive of our current and future students, our entire professional team, and our urgent facilities needs.”  

“Moreover,” he added, “for those constituents asking how they can help, I would suggest they contact their legislators and the governor to thank them for their service and express overall gratitude and excitement for their proposals supportive of NCSSM: to encourage NC House members to support compensation increases for all UNC System employees, including NCSSM employees, equitable with those proposed for other state employees; and to highlight their favorite proposals, such as the UNC Tuition Grant, funding for AP Testing, and repairs and renovations or new construction.”  

See this webpage to learn more about NCSSM’s budget and policy priorities and how to contact your legislators.  

For more information, contact Brock Winslow, Vice Chancellor for External Relations at winslow@ncssm.edu or (919) 416-2864.