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3 <br /> Dr. William Ingram, Durham Tech President, thanked the BOCC for its ongoing <br /> support for Durham Tech. He said their budget reflects an increase of$12,823 in operating <br /> funds to increase the salaries of employees to make sure all are paid a living wage. He said <br /> an additional $150,000 is also being requested for the Orange County Connect Scholarship. <br /> Dr. Ingram said Durham Tech is requesting that the construction of a 40,000-50,000 <br /> square foot building be added to Orange County's CIP for next year. He said this will enable <br /> Durham Tech to offer additional programming and courses, and to move the middle college <br /> there. <br /> Commissioner Rich thanked Durham Tech for being committed to paying all of its <br /> employees a living wage. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs referred to the expansion of the facility, and asked if Durham <br /> Tech is going with the same plan of leveling the trees and putting in a parking lot. <br /> Dr. Ingram said last year Durham Tech presented a high level conceptual plan to the <br /> BOCC, and thus far, have not done any site planning. He said, with funding, the process will <br /> move forward at the appropriate time, and Durham Tech acknowledges the importance of <br /> "green space." He said there is also an historic Native American trading path, which cuts <br /> through campus, and will be taken into consideration during planning. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs asked if Durham Tech has initiated any discussions with the <br /> University of North Carolina (UNC) to help train students at UNC hospitals. <br /> Dr. Ingram said no, there have only been conversations regarding Emergency <br /> Management Services (EMS) workers thus far. He said there are some new administrators at <br /> the hospital, and the conversation is on hold during the transition. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said he thought Durham Tech was going to try to serve some of <br /> the needs held by the hospital, in the second iteration of Durham Tech buildings. He said UNC <br /> desires to be the largest healthcare provider in the southeast, in which case, it will be making <br /> some large facilities investments, and the time is opportune for a partnership. <br /> Andrew Davidson arrived at 7:18 p.m. <br /> Dr. Ingram said they will be focusing on Allied Health, and will engage them in that <br /> conversation both programmatic and financially. <br /> Annetta Streater said the middle college concept coming to the Orange County campus <br /> is very important and exciting. She hopes more students will take advantage of this <br /> opportunity. <br /> Commissioner Price said as the representative on the Durham Tech Board of Trustees <br /> (BOT), she commends what staff has done in trying to make sure that the options available to <br /> students keep up with the economic trends. She is happy to be paying a living wage. She <br /> said the BOCC should support Durham Tech at a level that keeps it affordable for students to <br /> attend. <br /> Dr. Ingram said that over 50% of Durham Tech students are on Federal financial aid, <br /> which does not include Durham or Orange Connect scholarships. He said the students do <br /> face significant financial challenges, and there is always room to be creative in meeting their <br /> needs. <br /> Chair Dorosin asked if Orange County Connect Scholarship is available to students <br /> with their GED as well. <br /> Dr. Ingram said yes, any Orange County resident that gets their GED is eligible to get <br /> this scholarship. He said Durham Tech works with the Department of Social Services to better <br /> serve students and their families. <br /> Durham Tech staff left at 7:24 p.m. <br />