BCC PHOTO BV *NN MARIE BELLAMY WATCHING AS HYBRID STRIPED BASS eggs hatch at Brunswick Aquafarms at Fttnslon are (clockwise from front left) Brunswick County school board member Robert Slockett, Marine Crescent Director Mike Bradley, ADM engineer Ron Massey; Aquafarms President Doug Holland, BCC Dean of Students Beth McLean and Director of Planning and Research Gerry Shaver. Tuition Going Up At BCC This Fall It will cost more to attend Brunswick Community College or any of the state's other community colleges this fall. At the direction of the N.C. General Assembly, the State Board of Community Colleges has raised tuition rates at all 58 institutions, according to Dept. of Community Colleges spokesman Mark R. Van Sciver. Tuition for in-state community collcgc students will increase from S105 to S161 per quarter for full-time students, or SI 1.50 per credit hour up to a maximum of 14 credit hours. Out-of-state tuition is increasing from S981 per quar ter to SI, 505, or S107.50 per credit hour, up to 14 credit hours. Community colleges must now charge for each credit hour up to 14, as opposed to the previous limit of 12 credit hours. Registration fees for occupational extension courses were raised from S25 to S30 per course. The boards of trustees of the local colleges set the registration fees for other community service extension courses. System President Bob Scott and many members of the state board have expressed concern that the increas ing tuition fees will affcct the system's long-lend tradi tion of broad accessibility. "I'm very concerned that our system's open door pol icy is closing in the face of the very people who could most benefit from a community college education ? people for whom a rise of S55 in tuition means the difference between attending college or not," said Scott. A tracking system is being developed as part of an effort to analyze student retention rates. New Postmaster Enjoys Slow Pace In Winnabow BY TONIA TREST Betty Carpenter was appointed postmaster at Winnabow on April 6 and was on the job six days lat er. She saw an opening for the job in a postal memo and im mediately ap plied, she said. Ms. Carpenter was interviewed CARPENTER along with sev eral other people for the position. Ms. Carpenter had tried for 10 other appointments, but with no success, she said. The Columbus County native says she likes the slow pace in Win nabow, where she succeeded long time postmaster Tom Rabon Sr., who retired this year. "Winnabow has been very recep tive of me, even though I am an out Correction An article in the July 25 issue of The Brunswick Beacon staled BCC employees would receive an extra day off during the Christmas holi days. However, the BCC Board of Trustees has not yet approved the proposed extra day. President Mi chael Reeves is checking with other colleges regarding the number of holidays their employees receive and is to report his findings at the board's next meeting. The Beacon regrets the error. IThe! Discount Merchant $Sale V- Up To 50% Off Summer Clothing No other discounts apply Open Mon-Sat. 10-5 Hwy. 17 N., Business Shallotte (1 mile N. sidcr," Ms. Carpenter said. "1 enjoy the customer service of the post master position." Her postal career began in 1975 as a substitute rural carrier. For 15 years she served as a window clerk at the post office in Whiteville. She was officer in charge in Fair Bluff in 1986 and for four months in Hampstead in 1990 during the postmasters' absences. Ms. Carpenter commutes every day from Whiteville for now, she said, because she "does not want to uproot" her 16-year-old daughter. She says the 45-minute drive is not that bad and is worth it. At Winnabow she is the only of fice employee, but that hasn't led to boredom. "No, I haven't gotten Lee Langston, M.D. Jon Langston, P.A.C. General Practice Announces New Hours Monday thru Friday 8 AM-1 PM, 2-5 PM Family Care Physical Exattts Minor Surgery Hospital Care Appointments Honored Walk-ins Worked In Vacationers Welcomed 341 Whiteville Rd. Shallotte 754-8731 bored yet and I have been here three months," she said. Besides handling the mail, Ms. Carpenter is also responsible for any janitorial services. After all this is done, she catches up on her man ual reading. 'The afternoons are never boring. Everyone starts getting off of work and they come in to get their mail," she said. "I like it here, but I am trying to move up," said Ms. Carpenter. "I would eventually like to become a level 20 postmaster." (Wilmington is considered a level 21.) "I may stay here until retirement (15 years), but it all depends on if the advancement bug bites," she said. GIFT SHOP Fred's Breads Sourdough Cinnamon Cheese Whole Wheal Cinnamon Nut Rolls CAUSEWAY HOlDEN BEACH 642-5678 ? DAILY 9-9 c^l/laxlz