HCC PREPS FOR LONG RANGE PLANNING PROCESS

Halifax Community College is now starting its long-range planning process that will chart the course of the institution on a local and state level. The process will plan for the next five years, from 2007 to 2012. In order to begin the process, college officials are soliciting input from campus and community constituents. The time frame for completing the plan is limited, with information due to the state system by Jan. 1, 2008.

“Long Range Planning will go beyond short-term strategic planning by projecting college enrollments along with long-range community economic trends to anticipate what future programs and corresponding facilities that HCC will need to best serve the anticipated needs of the Roanoke Valley,” explained HCC President, Dr. Ervin V. Griffin, Sr.

The North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) and member colleges have been criticized in the past for not having good long-range plans that anticipate, identify and link facility needs to institutional mission and instructional demand. For the first time in NCCCS history, the General Assembly is now funding advanced planning with an appropriation of $8 million.

To qualify for available funds, HCC will be required to develop two complementary planning documents over the next year—a Long Range Plan and a Facilities Master Plan. These plans will have to meet set criteria and will be used to develop a comprehensive NCCCS Capital Plan Request that clearly links institutional mission to anticipated program and facility demands.

Griffin added, “We are not only evaluating current program offerings, but are considering possibilities for new academic and continuing education programs. We are trying to plan for anything that we might need for the period 2007-2012. All of our long range planning will lead to the creation of a complementary facilities master plan for HCC.”

“We’re looking at where enrollment growth is occurring in the colleges,” said Associate Director for Planning and Effectiveness Dr. Betty Adams, at the recent State Board of Community Colleges meeting on campus. That information will be linked with the facilities master plan consisting of existing campus structures and those projected for future needs.

Facilities Planner Tom Hunter referred to the resulting plan as a “living document.” Since teaching methods and needs have changed, Hunter added, “Standing lecture space may not be the best way to teach.” He emphasized the need for quality and functional space.

Vice President for Business and Finance Kennon Briggs echoed that sentiment, “This presents a real shift in how we’re figuring the space we need.”

The long range planning process will allow HCC to conduct external focus groups in its service region. Businesses and individuals will be able to provide input into the academic programs and services necessary to meet the long range community economic trends projected for the Roanoke Valley area. For those interested in providing ideas for the Long Range Planning process, visit the HCC Web site, www.halifaxcc.edu. Click on the “Survey” button, which links to the community survey, and post comments there.