South Piedmont Community College: Historical Description and Analysis of Events Leading to the Establishement of a New Community College in the North Carolina Community College System

Abstract

This study documents the decision and chronicles events that led to the creation of South Piedmont Community College. The decision to create a new, multicampus community college to serve the people of Anson and Union Counties in south central North Carolina was a complicated process that evolved over two decades.

The Union Technical Education Consortium, a partnership between Union County and Anson and Stanly Community Colleges, was established in 1981 to serve community college educational needs in Union County. However, the Consortium was limited and not the best solution for the County. In addition, exceptional economic development and a rapidly growing population in Union County significantly increased the need for community college programs and services.

The Board of Commissioners in Union County wanted an independent community college. Industry needed increased work force development and training. Students were dissatisfied with programs and services and administrative support from the Consortium. However, leaders and stakeholders could not agree on an acceptable solution.

In 1996, the North Carolina Community College System and the Union County Board of Commissioners established the Union County Study Committee to review previous studies, conduct meetings and interviews, and recommend solutions. The Committee's recommendation for a multicampus college to serve both Anson and Union Counties met opposition sufficient to stop the decision. The multicampus recommendation became a political issue and was openly debated in the press. By 1998, the failure to reach a consensus created a stalemate. The General Assembly of North Carolina enacted legislation that directed a final study and mandated a decision by May of 1999.

The State Board of Community Colleges named a consultant team. The report from that team was presented to the Board in April 1999 and recommended a multicampus college to serve the people of Anson and Union Counties. With the report, the subsequent recommendations of the State Board of Community Colleges to the General Assembly, and the enabling legislative action, the final decision was to establish South Piedmont Community College.