Newspapers / The Brunswick Beacon (Shallotte, … / Jan. 27, 1994, edition 1 / Page 10
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New BCC Aquaculture Program Will Train Graduates To Help Feed World BY SI SAN USHER A iic w aquaculture technology program that will he ottered at Brunsw ick Community College beginning tins fall will he unique in North Carolina and one of only a handful ot two-year programs nations ide. Xpproved last Friday hy the State Board ot Community Colleges, the two-year fish farming curriculum will provide students with hands-on practical cA(iciicii?c in fish ar.J shellfish pnwluc tion. .is well as a broad general education back ground emphasizing math, science and problem sob ing. Students will produce a fish crop from brood tish to foodfish. assuming responsibility lor all phases of production, farm management and product marketing. Graduates w ill receive an associate ot applied science degree in aquaculture technology "u' hi qualified to manage private commercial lish farms, gov ernment hatcheries and other jobs in iquaculture such as aquarium lank attendant, fish hatchery worker or supervisor, shellfish bed worker, tanning supervisor or grower, or soft she ll crabber, among others. B('C President YV Michael Reaves said he an ticipates the program will attract students from Brunswick County and well beyond Local stu dents are expected to include fish farmers and re cent high school students, including those en rolled in the aquaculture program at South Bruns w ick High School or in the countyw ide Tech Prep curriculum, which provides a strong background in math, science and communications skills. "Hopefully we w ill have a lot of people com ing in from all across the region and the state. I ilnnk we will also draw international students be cause ul the popularity of aquaculture in places ,ach Central America an<i China "I want us not to be limited to North Carolina in this program." said Reaves. "It's a critical area lor the world, what with overfishing of resources, pollution and such." The I nited Nations Food and Agricultural Organization projects there will be a 20 percent shortfall in the global fish supply In the year 2000. when worldwide demand is expected to reach 24K billion pounds compared to production of only 2<MI billion pounds In the I'nited States alone, demand lor fish in the 1990s is predicted to increase as much as 30 percent. "I feel like this could add another means for lo cal farmen. to do something on their existing land, an added source of revenue." said BCC Trustee Jamie Milliken, chairman of the college board's aquaculture technology program committee. Milliken is excited atxiut the program's possi bilities. especially over the North Carolina Information Highway, which he described as "a great calling card lor the program." Reaves antici pates broadcasting and receiving long-distance classroom courses "I feel like this could add another means for local farmers to do something on their existing land, an added source of revenue. " ?jamie Miiiikeu, BCC Tiumcc Milliken regrets that he probably won't lie a trustee when the program, "his baby." starts in September. His appointment from former Gov. Jim Martin ends in June and Milliken doesn't an ticipate being reappointed b\ the Hunt adminis tration. He also looks forward to a hoped-for student transfer relationship with N.C". Stale University, which offers a four-year aquaculture program. One thing Milliken said he would prefer not to see happen in the local program is development of fish production ponds on the BCC campus it self. "There are too many other things available, and it's ttxt expensive." The aquaculture technology program will of fer a continuing education option for high school students enrolled in the Tech Prep engineering/in dustrial agricultural component. While the program is expected to serve only about 12 lull-time students this tail, it anticipates an annual freshman class of about 2(1 students in each subsequent year, drawn from recent high school graduates and persons already employed in aquaculture seeking technical training. Program advisory committee chairperson Doug Holland of Brunswick Aquafarms at Funston. said the first classes students will take will be general education courses in biology, chemistry, composition and precalculus (or pre requisite math courses) that qualify lor transfer to a tour-year college or university Initially BCC will provide field experiences by arrangements with local commercial aquacul ture operations, such as Brunswick Aquafarms. and the facilities of the nationally recognized aquaculture program at South Brunswick High School Plans are to attempt to revive and revise a languishing federal Economic Development Administration grant application for funds that would support expansion of the program and pos sibly construction of a BCC-owned training facil ity and/or ponds. Holland said that since the program is intend ed to serve the whole state it will eventually offer training in working with a variety ol freshwater and saltwater species, including catfish, crawfish, hybrid striped bass, trout, shellfish and clams. He anticipates increased interest in the luture in marine aquaculture "due to the all the hulla baloo here" about the drop in the oyster harvest in recent years because of the parasite Dermo "An alternative might be aquacuiture," said Holland, who is also president ot the N.C. Aquacuiture Association. The program aims to fill a need for trained workers with technical skills now sorely lacking industrywide. "We have a problem in the industry in North Carolina and nationwide. We use completely un trained. unskilled farm workers for labor and then lump to master 's tk^rcc professionals to do ?lv technical stuff, and they're as rare as hen's teeth." "The market indicates there will be a suffi cient number of jobs in the state to keep this pro gram running," Holland said. Aquacuiture production is currently valued at between SMI million and S12 million in North Carolina and is on the rise. Presently Holland estimates the number of commercial-size catfish farms at about 45, with a "great many more" operating on a smaller scale; approximate!) 2(H) acres of water for hybrid striped bass production spread across It) or 12 farms, 12 to 15 crawfish farms, anywhere from 85 to 135 trout farms ranging from small to large commercial ventures, a number of clam produc ers. including one at Marker's Island that is much larger than the others. In addition there are more than 300 shellfish leaseholders in North Carolina. At present only two people hold such leases for Brunswick County waters; they were banned by special local legislation. Holland expects existing fish farmers to be one source of students. "A lot of catfish farmers have a rude awaken ing." he said, "when they find out they can't just dig a pond and stock it." While the program w ill initially be offered as a two-year, degree program for full time students Holland anticipates BCC eventually offering a certificate program aimed at current industry em ployees who cannot take two years away to earn a degree, but need technical training and are willing to enroll in an II-week course during their slack winter season. Beginning Spanish Offered At BCC Beginning level Spanish classes wiii ix: offered through Brunswick Community College starting Monday, Feb. 7. After registration Monday between 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.. the class will begin Tuesday, Feb. S at the same time and continue for 11 weeks un der the instruction of Paul Hernandez. The class will meet on the college's main campus north ot Supply on U.S. 17 Business. Cost is S35 per person. For more information or to register in advance call Stuart Callari at 754 6922. DAMAGES SOUGHT IN EXCESS OF ?10.000 BCC: Faulty Record-Keeping Led To Non-Renewal Of Page's Contract BY SUSAN ISHEK In its answer to a lawsuit tiled by ,i former business instructor, Bruns wick Community College slates that lane H. Page "t' Somhpnrt was not "terminated" but that her contract ?a .is not renewed because Page tailed to comply with liC'C policies relating to class attendance records. The decision "in no way was based upon her exercise of her con stitutional privileges." as her suit contends, it states. The decision to not offer Page a contract tor 1993-94 came on the recommendation ot Vice President tor Instruction Johnnie Simpson on the basis of records audits that "re vealed serious inaccuracies in class attendance records." Those inaccu racies. the answer continues, "were numerous" and resulted in "lindings >i| non-compliance" in administra tion of federally funded programs m.ii icijuiiv affirmative action by the loiiege. placing DOC "in jeopardy and resulting in possible repayment ot Federal funds and imposition of further liabilities and sanctions, in eluding penalties affecting students' class credits." In September Page tiled a lawsuit against the college claiming she had been wrongfully dismissed and seeking a temporary restraining or der and preliminary and permanent injunctions requiring the college to reinstate her Page had been employed by the college "continuously" since Sept. I. ivo7. under contract to work 40 hours a week tor nine months, ac cording to her complaint. BCC described Page as ha\ing been hired year-to-year by annual contract for a nine-month or 10 month period, and lor a 35-hour, not 40 hour week and that she was not eligible for tenure. In an Aug. 23. 1993 letter. BCC President Michael Reaves informed Page that she would not be offered an employment contract for the 1003-94 academic year, citing no reason for the action. At the time her contract was re newed Page's name was listed in the SOUTH BRUNSWICK MEDICAL GROUP Gary D. Ross, M.D. (Internal Medicine) Samuel W. Kirtley, M.D. (Family Practice) For Complete Outpatient Medical Care Routine Health Maintenance Adult Medical Concerns/Pediatrics Women's Concerns (Pap Smears/Contraception) Laboratory & X-Ray Facilities For Complete Minor Emergency Care CARE Located oil Hwy. 17 at Union School Road Open Mon.-Fri., 9 A.M. to 6 P.M., Sat. 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. 579-9955 or 579-0800 C 199? THC BWt/N^WtrK Bf ACON 1993 fall quarter schedule as in structor of three courses. Page alleged in the suit that she was "denied due process" prior to her termination in that she u as told ini jiiicx.ince procedure was avail able to her and did not receive any advance warnings that her perfor mance had been unsatisfactory. The sun stated she had received "exem plary" performance evaluations and had not been subject to any prior disciplinary actions She is seeking damages in excess ol SI0,000 on the grounds that the college's actions constitute a breach of contract. Since filing the original com plaint. Page has amended it to in clude ,i tilth claim for relief, that the decision not to renew her contract was motivated by her "exercise of constitutionally protected First Amendment freedoms.. ." ,i claim BOC denies. t'rior to her dismissal the ;uit states thai Page was and outspoken Critic ol the Administration" at BCC and "known, among Students and faculty.... as an outspoken advocate of student/faculty rights." In the BCC response the college states that Page was subject to the personnel policy priK'edures spirited out in the faculty/staff handbook on ly while employed under an agree ment of employment. She v\as noti fied thai lief contract would not be renewed after her existing contract had expired on May 31. According to the answer that contract includes the provision that "The employee understands that the employer as sumes no obligation, whatsoever, to continue his/iiei employment be yond the expiration date of the Agreement." Therefore, "procedures for dis missal. suspension or termination in cluded in the personnel policy of Brunswick Community College were not applicable, inasmuch as the action taken was not a dismissal, suspension or termination," but a non-renewal of contract. Neither !h?* request for injunctions or the case itself are scheduled for hearing. REMODELING SALE All Fall Skirts, Pants, Shorts Now s15 75% Off All Summer & Select Fall Items 50% Off Remaining Stock Tan Now For Summer We have 2 Wolff Beds Tanning Lotion reg. $ioNow $8.50 Kimberly Jo's Boutique Ladies' Clothing ? Wolff Tanning HOURS: Mon Fri 8 AM until. Sat 10-5 Other times by appointment Located on tluy. I 79 in tlie Coastal Mechanical tildg. OCEAN ISI.F. ? 579-7670 or 579-6290 Tl.vnc Brand Ladies Fashions At Affordable Prices' BCC PHOTO Br ANNE MARIE BELLAMY 7 920 Census Available Cwen Causey of Supply, immediate past president of the Bruns wick County Historical Society, is shown using the microfilm read er in the Brunswick Community College I.earning Resource Cen ter to examine data from microfilm reels of the 1920 U.S. Census (for selected North Carolina counties) donated by the society. Census data on microfilm is part of the library's extensive ge nealogical research collection, which is open to the public. Also contributing to the census donation was Edgar Kcal of Wilm ington, a society member. W inter quarter hours for the library are 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and S a.m. to 5 p.m. T'riday. The library is located upstairs in the Adminstration iiuiiaing on BCC's main campus on L'.S. !? Business north of January Coupon Special ?i i I*Within 15 Mile Radius thru Jan. 31 ? With A Full Tune-up Lawn & Garden Tractors Only i MILLiGAN POWER & i I LAWN EQUIPMENT, INC. | ? 501 Whiteville Rd. (Hwy. 130 W) Shallotte ? 754-8535 ? CALL US FOR INSURANCE QUOTES: 1-800-424-0115 ? Home ? Auto ? Commercial ? Mobile Home ? Life h First Investors FINANCIAL CORPORATION Or Visit Our Banking Offices: LELAND SriALLOTTE WHITEVILLE (910)371-1000 (910)754-5400 (910)642-8183 C-.yn THf RRUNSW'CK bCACON Not Only The Top Of The Class But The Pursuit Of Creating A Hew One! THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE Special lease and finance plans available! 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The Brunswick Beacon (Shallotte, N.C.)
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Jan. 27, 1994, edition 1
10
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