§18B-3E-1. Legislative findings and intent.

(a) The Legislature finds that the potomac highlands is an area of the state that is underserved for higher education and that deserves more convenient access to higher education opportunities, including work force development opportunities.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature in establishing eastern West Virginia community and technical college to focus on the advantages available to the potomac highlands and to the state by providing quality community and technical college education.

 (c) It is further the intent of the Legislature that eastern West Virginia community and technical college shall serve as a delivery platform for higher education in the potomac highlands while the study required by section seven, article three of this chapter is being conducted. The final organizational structure of the institution should reflect the results of the study.

(d) In order to satisfy the growing needs of the potomac highlands for access to quality higher education programs, the community and technical college shall meet the critical two-fold core mission which is to deliver work force development programs that meet the needs of employers and to increase the college participation rate of all the residents of the district. Establishment of this college is intended to provide an opportunity to implement more effective education delivery systems, organizational structures, and management and to result in finding the best model for delivery of high quality community and technical college education.