Yesterday, I co-sponsored with UNC President Margaret Spellings the first Historically Minority-Serving Institutions (HMSI) Summit. Chancellor Anderson of FSU State University hosted this event on his campus. Elizabeth City State University, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina Central University, University of North Carolina Pembroke, Winston-Salem State University, and Fayetteville State University were all represented. 3 other senators attended, Sen. Chad Barefoot Co-Chair of the Senate Education Committee, Sen. Rick Horner, and Sen. Don Davis both members of the Senate Education Committee. Mike Williford from the Board of Governors also attended. The NC Promise Tuition Plan was discussed. This program reaffirms the NC Legislature’s commitment to making the university experience affordable and accessible to all. I have received several thank you letters from parents and students for my support of the NC Promise Tuition Plan, but it was good to hear positive feedback from some of the Chancellors. The overall purpose of this meeting was to discuss the needs of each institution and to begin an open dialogue between all entities represented. The meeting was quite productive, and it was decided to have more meetings in the future. Thank you FSU for having us!
