This is the colleges proposal which will be voted on a second time Tuesday morning after approval on first reading in 2007. It must pass this year to take effect.

Campbell University, Chowan University, Gardner-Webb University, Mars Hill College and Wingate University appreciate the long and important voluntary relationship with the Baptist churches of North Carolina and with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. As presidents of these institutions, we desire to continue a strong and supportive relationship with the Convention and the churches, while continuing to develop our schools in a changing world of private higher education.  In order to advance our institutions, to keep a supportive working relationship with the Convention and Baptist churches, and to honor the historical Baptist and Christian principles on which the institutions were founded, we propose a restructured, mutually-voluntary relationship.

In accordance with this relationship, the following would occur:

Each institution would incrementally elect its own Trustees, who support the stated purpose of the respective institution, over a four-year period, beginning with the class of 2009 and concluding with the class of 2012.

Beginning in January 2009, current funding of the institutions by the Convention would be phased out in equal increments over four years.

The institutions would respectfully request that an amount determined by the Convention’s Budget Committee be awarded in scholarship funds to North Carolina Baptist Students who attend these institutions. These funds will be awarded and administered by the Baptist State
Convention of North Carolina effective 2009.

The leadership of these institutions would be committed to continuing to have a significant portion of trustees who are members of churches in friendly cooperation with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.

The institutions would continue to provide services and ministries to the Baptist churches of North Carolina and would continue to promote and advance Christian principles and beliefs as reflected in traditional Baptist doctrine.

The institutions would report to the Convention on an annual basis and hold membership on the Council of Christian Higher Education and thus remain affiliated with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.