This is just catch-up money. The Union Board of County Commissioners voted in September against endorsing the bond issue - one of the few public groups to do so. The board said the bonds would not give enough money to community colleges, particularly South Piedmont in Union County. Bond supporters say county governments have traditionally been responsible for community college construction and renovation, so some bond money is better than none. It will meet many of our needs that county governments couldn't afford.
Supporters say the bond issue covers highest-priority needs on campuses across the state.
It's cost-effective because it will allow us to take on several projects simultaneously. At the same time, full-time enrollment is expected to increase by 30 percent, or 100,000 students, by the end of the decade. Universities such as UNC Charlotte have been forced to turn away students. And community colleges, including Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, have waiting lists. The money would go toward a humanities building, a science and technology center, and five other academic buildings.