§18B-3C-13. Legislative intent; Pierpont Community and Technical College established as independent state institution of higher education; governing board; institutional organization, structure, accreditation status.

(a) The intent of the Legislature in enacting this section is to provide for the most effective education delivery system for community and technical education programs to the entire region to be served by Pierpont Community and Technical College and to focus the institutional mission on achieving state goals, objectives, priorities, and essential conditions as established in articles one, one-d, and three-c of this chapter.

(b) Pierpont Community and Technical College is established as an independent state institution of higher education. Any reference in this code to Fairmont State Community and Technical College or to Pierpont Community and Technical College, a division of Fairmont State University, means the independent state institution of higher education known as Pierpont Community and Technical College.

(c) Effective July 1, 2008, the board of advisors for Pierpont Community and Technical College is the governing board for that institution subject to the provisions of article two-a of this chapter. The administrative head of Pierpont Community and Technical College on June 30, 2008, is the president of the independent community and technical college subject to the provisions of section five of this article.

(d) In the delivery of community and technical college education and programs, Pierpont Community and Technical College shall adhere to all provisions set forth in this code and rules promulgated by the council for the delivery of education and programs, including, but not limited to, council review and approval of academic programs, institutional compacts, master plans and tuition and fee rates, including capital fees.

(e) Pierpont Community and Technical College shall pursue independent accreditation status and the board of Governors of the community and technical college shall provide through contractual arrangement for the administration and operation of Pierpont Community and Technical College by Fairmont State University while the community and technical college seeks appropriate independent accreditation. The contractual arrangement may not be implemented until approved by the council and shall include provisions to ensure that the programs offered at Pierpont Community and Technical College are accredited while independent accreditation is being sought. Fairmont State University shall continue to provide services to the community and technical college which the community and technical college or the council considers necessary or expedient in carrying out its mission under the terms of an agreement between the two institutions pursuant to the provisions of section twelve of this article.

(f) The council has the authority and the duty to take all steps necessary to assure that the institution acquires independent accreditation status as quickly as possible. If the community and technical college fails to achieve independent accreditation by July 1, 2011, the council shall sever any contractual agreement between Pierpont Community and Technical College and Fairmont State University and assign the responsibility for achieving independent accreditation to another state institution of higher education.