Tansey Topics: A Weekly Look At What's Happening At BCCC From President Barbara Tansey | Eastern North Carolina Now

    The icy weather this week led to the closure of our college for two days and led to a delay in the disbursement of financial aid checks to our students. I hope this did not cause too much of a hardship but I certainly didn't want to risk the lives of our students, faculty and staff traveling on slick roads. Most of our classes have an Internet component to them so I don't expect the need for any make-up days as a result of the closure, although continuing education, clinincals and labs may have to add additional hours and minutes to their schedule. More information on this will be available soon on any time that needs to be made up.

• What is the contribution that Beaufort County Community College makes to the region's economy? A new report demonstrating the economic value of institutions of higher learning across the state was released Wednesday. The report by Economic Modeling Specialists International of Moscow, Idaho, was commissioned by the North Carolina Community College System, the University of North Carolina, the 36 campuses of North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities and private colleges. It is the first-ever statewide analysis of higher education's contribution to the state's economy. A companion local study was commissioned by BCCC. This report found that BCCC adds about $99.5 million to the regional economy each year, equal to about 6.2 percent of the total gross regional product of the BCCC service area, according to one newly-released study. The study, Demonstrating the Economic Impact of Beaufort County Community College, documents the vital role BCCC plays in the local region and the state's 58 community colleges play in North Carolina. The study breaks down the economic role played by BCCC in three areas - operations spending, student spending and alumni spending - and evaluates the return on investment to students, society and the region's taxpayers. During the 2012-2013 Fiscal Year, the analysis year, BCCC spent $11.8 million on payroll and benefits for 494 full- and part-time employees and spent another $8.8 million on goods and services to carry out its day-to-day operations. This initial round of spending creates more spending across other businesses throughout the regional economy, resulting in the commonly-referred-to multiplier effects. You can view the report on the BCCC website at the following link http://www.beaufortccc.edu/facts/.

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

• Spaces are filling quickly for the BCCC Foundation's trip Saturday, March 14, to Durham to see the stage production of the 2013 Tony Award Winning musical, Kinky Boots. The trip will also include a visit to the N.C. Museum of History for a tour of the exhibit, Starring North Carolina!, the first major exhibit about the state's role in the film industry. The cost of the trip, open to all BCCC students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the college, is $200 per person. The registration deadline is Friday, March 6. The price of the trip includes transportation to and from Durham, admission to the N.C. Museum of History, lunch and tickets for seats in the orchestra section for Kinky Boots, at the Durham Performing Arts Center. For more information, contact Foundation Specialist Marcia Norwood at 252-940-6218.
• The Foundation Executive Director Serena Sullivan reports that a total of $63,473.32 in donations and pledges has been raised to date for BCCC's digital sign or just $16,526.68 from the fundraising goal. Please consider making a donation to this campaign to help us build a sign that will help inform the community of activities at the college!

• Don't forget the two Black History Month celebrations happening this week on our campus. Dennis Rahiim Watson, president and chief executive officer of The Center for Black Student Achievement, will be the keynote speaker at a Black History Month celebration sponsored by Men of Success. The event, which will also feature musical performances by local choirs, will be 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, in the auditorium of Building 8 on the BCCC campus. Admission to the event is free of charge to the public. It is sponsored by our Men of Success and I hope everyone will make plans to attend.
• The Black History Month Quiz Bowl Competition, sponsored by the Student Government Association, Students Striving for Success through Leadership and TRiO/Student Support Services, will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, and Thursday, Feb. 26, in the auditorium of Building 8. Thanks to all of these organizations for their hard work on these events to help us salute important events in our nation's history.

• Don't forget to get a parking decal! BCCC Police Chief Chris Harrison reminds all BCCC students, faculty and staff that they are required to have a parking decal visibly displayed on their car. If you have not already obtained a decal for the Spring semester, you should do so immediately as the campus police have begun issuing citations. You can get a decal, free of charge, from the campus police office in Room 114, Building 1 Mondays,Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8 to 9 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. Mondays and noon to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Additional hours may be available as resources allow. Students must have a copy of their student schedule, ID number and vehicle registration card to obtain parking decal.

• There's still time for students to apply for graduation. If you think you may be ready to graduate, check with your academic advisor about your eligibility. Next, stop by the Registrar's Office and apply. If you are receiving financial aid, visit the Financial Aid Office for exit counseling. If you are eligible to graduate, please visit the Business Office on the second floor of Building 1 to pay the graduation fee of $35.

• Plans are well under way for the Second Annual Gullfest, the Spring festival here at BCCC. Gullfest will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 18, and will once again feature craft vendors, music, a Little Gulls Zone, music by local performers, a paint ball arena and a car show. This year's special guest will be Rick Hurst, who played Deputy Cletus Hogg on The Dukes of Hazzard who will attend the car show and sign autographs. Sponsorships are being sought from local businesses to help defray the cost of the event so any profits from the event can go to the BCCC Foundation. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities for your business, contact Penelope Radcliffe at 252-940-6325.
• Registrations are still being sought for the upcoming Miss Gullfest Pageant to be held Saturday, April 18, in conjunction with BCCC's spring festival. Pageant Chairman Sara Singleton reports that the pageant will include competition in five divisions - Preschool through second grade for Tiny Miss Gullfest; third through fifth grades for Little Miss Gullfest; sixth through eighth grades for Teen Miss Gullfest; ninth through 12th grades for Miss Gullfest and College Miss Gullfest for current BCCC students. A maximum of 15 contestants will be accepted per division. The registration deadline is March 20. For more information about this event, stop by the lobby of Building 1 or contact Sara at 940-6271 or by email at sara.singleton@beaufortccc.edu.
• Registration is also underway for the Gullfest 5K Run to be held Sunday, April 19, on a course through Historic Bath. The race will begin at 2 p.m. Participants can register for the race at www.runtheeast. com. The registration and processing fees total $28. All participants will receive a race T-shirt. For more information about this event, contact Admissions Director Michele Mayo at 252-940-6233. I hope the campus community will either enter the race or show your support by attending the event!

• The deadline for voting for BCCC in the Stanley Safer Schools Grant Program has passed. the winners will be announced after March 3! Thanks to all who voted for BCCC in this campaign.

• I am sorry to announce the resignation of Director of Accounting Charles Gullette who has accepted a position with East Carolina University. Charles lives in Ayden and this move will mean a lot less travel for him I wish him well in his new job.

February 20	BCCC Foundation Board of Directors, 2 p.m., Board Room, Building 10.
February 20	LGBT Club, 2 p.m., Library.
February 21	BCCC Foundation trip to the Durham Performing Arts Center for MOTOWN, the Musical. Departs BCCC parking lot at 7:30 a.m.
February 23	Black History Month celebration, 5 to 7 p.m., auditorium, Building 8.
February 24	Student Government Association meeting, noon, Student Lounge, Building 9.
February 24 and 26	Black History Month Quiz Bowl Competition, 11 a.m., auditorium, Building 8.
February 24	Student Government Association, noon, Student Lounge, Building 9.
February 25	Faculty Senate, noon, Room 1220, Building 12.
February 26	BCCC Board of Trustees Spring Retreat, 9 a.m., Board Room, Building 10.
February 26	Great Decisions, 2 p.m., Room 828 of Building 8.
February 27	Financial Aid Informational Session, 11:30 a.m., Room 935, Building 5.
February 28	FAFSA Day, 9 a.m. to noon, Building 9.

    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.