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Richmond Community College is expanding the transfer agreements it has with N.C. State University and UNC Pembroke to offer students more opportunities to pursue bachelor’s degrees. RCC President Dale McInnis explained the agreements Tuesday night to the RCC Board of Trustees.

“Last June, we developed an agreement with N.C. State University that allows graduates of our Associate in Science program to enter the university as juniors in their Poultry Sciences program. At that time, they said they were interested in expanding the concept to include other Agricultural Sciences programs. Next Wednesday, we will sign a two-plus-two agreement that allows students to move into Animal, Crop, Horticulture or Soil Science at N.C. State. They can get the rest of their degree online or go to Raleigh for their classes. Students will be assigned advisers who will help them with course selection,” said McInnis.

A similar agreement is being developed with UNC Pembroke involving graduates of the Criminal Justice Technology, Human Services Technology and Early Childhood Education programs. Instead of taking the college transfer program and moving into these fields at UNCP, students may take the technical, associate in science programs and have a smooth transition into their junior and senior years of college at UNCP.

Due to state budget constraints and restrictions, RCC employees will not see a pay increase for the fourth year in a row. The board approved the existing salary scale and approved the suspension of salary increments for years of service increments and for additional degrees earned. Contracts were approved to be offered for the upcoming academic year.

McInnis provided an update on the college’s reaffirmation of accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. There are three components: the compliance certification to provide documentation that the college meets all required standards, the development of a quality enhancement plan, and a review of all policies to provide documentation they are being followed.

“When the process is formally completed, we will receive our reaccreditation in 2014. This is vital for us as it is required for students to be eligible to receive financial aid to attend college. It is also required for other institutions to accept credits students transfer from here,” said McInnis.

The board bid goodbye to Student Government Association President Lisa Coats of Rockingham, who graduates in May. Coats introduced Robert McCullough of Hamlet to the board as the new SGA president. He is an accounting major and will graduate next May.