Orange County NC Website
2) Co-sponsor an upcoming forum on Latinos, "EI Dilema Latino: Seeking Local Solutions," <br />convened by the Chapel Hill News and tentatively scheduled for the evening of May 1St; and <br />3) Call upon the United States Government to reform immigration laws in order to provide <br />undocumented immigrants with legal permission to work and live in our community and institute <br />a long-term immigration policy that addresses the economic and national security needs of the <br />United States. <br />This, the 16th day of April 2002. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />7. PUBLIC HEARINGS <br />a. Establishing a Durham Technical Community College Satellite Campus in Orange County <br />The Board held a public hearing for the purpose of receiving public input on establishing a <br />satellite campus of Durham Technical Community College in Orange County. John Link said that a task <br />force spent a lot of time in making recommendations on the feasibility of the satellite campus. <br />A PowerPoint presentation was made by Purchasing Director Pam Jones. A 21-member task <br />force began work in March 2000 and presented findings to the Board of County Commissioners on <br />November 21, 2000. The task force reported that Orange County is the largest North Carolina county (in <br />population) without a community college campus; in 2000, over 6,500 Orange County residents attended <br />community college somewhere in the area; DTCC is providing instruction at more than 40 locations <br />throughout Orange County; Orange County residents comprised approximately 22% of the total DTCC <br />enrollment in 1999; and DTCC has an ongoing partnership within both school systems. There is a gap in <br />technical skills training that a satellite campus would address. DTCC would continue to use the current <br />instructional locations -Skills Development Center, public schools, and others. Some of the desired <br />classes, which were identified by focus groups, include computer, foreign languages, English as a second <br />language, teacher certification or renewal, heavy equipment operation, biotechnology, solar energy <br />systems, nursing, and senior legal issues. <br />Dr. Phail Wynn, President of Durham Technical Community College, said that there has been a <br />long-time cooperative programming over the years. The satellite campus would provide more resources <br />for a wider array of educational programming to meet the needs of Orange County citizens. He pointed <br />out that for the fall of 2000, over 900 students in credit programs were Orange County residents and over <br />1500 students in non-credit programs were Orange County residents. The needs assessment would be a <br />very important process and the needs of Orange County would be analyzed. Community colleges do <br />have great flexibility on the programs they provide to citizens on very short notice. The needs <br />assessment would involve getting input from citizens and looking at economic development needs as well <br />as employer needs. This analysis would be updated on a regular basis so they can take into account the <br />changing needs in the community. The Durham Tech Board of Trustees is committed to serving the <br />citizens in Orange County. The board has committed 26% of the total amount they will receive from the <br />statewide bond issue for this satellite campus. He applauds the vision the County Commissioners have in <br />seeing this need and moving the process forward. He said that, as they move forward, they would be <br />looking specifically at the needs of the adults in Orange County. <br />Pam Jones outlined the steps that will need to be taken over the next few months as listed <br />below: <br />Resolution to Pursue Establishment of a DTCC Satellite Campus in Orange County (May 21, <br />2002) <br />Needs assessment completed by DTCC in Fall 2002 <br />Architect selected by DTCC board of trustees in Fall 2003 <br />