The General Assembly has appropriated millions of dollars to the University, passing a number of bills aiding specific colleges or other University-sponsored projects.
The University may receive more than $87 million over the next two years from five bills that have either passed or are in the legislative process, according to the bills available on the N.C. General Assembly’s Web site.
Democratic Sen. David F. Weinstein, who is sponsoring a bill that will give funding to the College of Engineering, said he is happy to help out the University whenever he can.
“I graduated from N.C. State in 1958, and I’ve been a member of the Wolfpack Club for 47 years,” Weinstein said. “I’m going to do whatever I can in order to look after N.C. State.”
Four other proposed bills will give funds to the veterinary school, small business assistance and agricultural programs.
NCSU Engineering FundsTotal donation proposed in bill: more than $40 million in two yearsSenate Bill 1414
The bill states the funds given to the engineering school will be used to hire new faculty and staff, and also to construct additional space in the College of Engineering. The bill also states the funds will allow the College of Engineering to become “nationally competitive.”
Democratic Sen. David F. Weinstein of district 13, who is one of the sponsors of the bill, said he is anticipating a good result from the appropriated funds, especially on Centennial Campus.
“[Centennial Campus] is going to be wonderfully state-of-the-art,” he said. “It really has great potential.”
NCSU Veterinary School FundsTotal donation proposed in bill: $38 million in two yearsHouse Bill 471 / Senate Bill 797
The bill appropriates funds to assist in the construction of a new veterinary facility on campus — the Randall B. Terry Companion Animal Veterinary Medical Center.
According to Michael Davidson, associate dean and director of veterinary medical services, the new facility is expected to cost $72 million. Private donations have already raised $34 million for the facility, and the bill proposes for state funds to match the private donations.
Without the appropriated funds from the state, Davidson said, the project would not be possible.
“We’ve been planning this facility for four years, and hoping and anticipating that the state would approve the appropriation,” he said. “If the state didn’t pass the bill, it would have been a showstopper for our project.” Davidson said the center plans to open by Sept. 2009.
NCSU Agricultural Leadership FundsTotal donation proposed in bill: $200,000Senate Bill 390 / House Bill 910
The bill supports the Agricultural Leadership Development Program in CALS. The leadership program is a two-year program for CALS students, which faculty members lead.
The bill states the funds will be used to “develop the leadership skills of outstanding young agriculturists from a diversity of agricultural enterprises and regions of the state.”
The University began the program in 1984. It is open to up to 30 “young agriculturists who exhibit considerable leadership potential,” according to program information available on the CALS Web site. The program includes study tours to Washington, D.C., and Brazil.
NCSU Funds for Williamsdale Farm and Agriculture ProgramTotal donation proposed in bill: $8.9 million in two yearsSenate Bill 557 / House Bill 861
According to Democratic Sen. Charles W. Albertson of district 10, a sponsor for the Williamsdale Farm bill, the appropriated funds will help the Williamsdale Farm in Duplin County, a farm donated to the University for research purposes, become a leader in “biofuel” and “biotechnology” research and development.
The bill states the program’s purpose is “to study alternative fuel and feed sources and to establish a center to study clean use of traditional energy sources and alternative renewable energy sources.”
Albertson said the hope of the program is to decrease the dependence on outside sources for usable fuel.
“People are becoming more aware of how much we depend on outside sources for fuel,” he said. “The eventual plan for the Williamsdale Farm is that we will be able to produce 10 percent of that state’s fuel needs locally, so we won’t have to depend so much on outside sources.”
Small Business Assistance FundsTotal donation proposed in bill: $500,000House Bill 1881 / Senate Bill 1057
The bill gives $4 million in two years to help in small business assistance programs throughout the University.
The bill states the University will use the funds to “expand the activities of the industrial extension service, foster micro-enterprise, capture the production for new high technology-based products and pursue focused recruitment and retention efforts in high-priority job clusters.”
Democratic Rep. Lucy T. Allen of district 49, a sponsor of the bill, said the extension service programs will bring educational activities to agricultural and rural communities.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our communities,” she said. “These programs will benefit small businesses.”
To read the bills in full, visit the N.C. General Assembly Web site at: www.ncleg.net and search by bill number.
