Central Carolina Community College approves culinary incubator and civil rights policy changes

The Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) Board of Trustees approved a resolution to open a culinary incubator and aligned policies with new state laws at its Sept. 14 work session.

CCCC will launch a small-business incubator in the new Teaching Kitchen at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic & Conference Center in Sanford. Participants may lease space for up to two years. The college will set market-based rates for space, resources, and utilities, allowing discounts for new businesses.

Lease agreements cannot be renewed and require State Board of Community Colleges approval. Tenants must wait until both college leadership and the state board approve the agreement before occupying the space.

The college president will oversee a competitive public application process. Applicants must prove financial stability, sufficient insurance, valid health licensing, and food safety certification. Preference will be given to caterers with strong local operations, competitive menus, and ties to Lee, Chatham, Harnett, or nearby counties.

The president will deliver an annual report to the Board of Trustees, outlining the program’s operations. Revenue, expenses, impacts like events or internships, and lease status must be included in the report.

The consolidation and revision of Policy 2.3.5 – Harassment, Discrimination, & Civil Rights Compliance met contention.

The new policy replaces Policy 2.3.5 – Campus Free Speech, Distribution of Material, and Assembly and combines Policy 2.3.5 with Policy 2.3.7 – Americans with Disabilities Act, Policy 3.3.7 – Discrimination, Harassment, & Title IX, and Policy 5.3.4 – Discrimination, Harassment, & Title IX. Includes changes to comport with Session Law 2026-21, expanded policy to cover all major civil rights obligations. Passing Policy 2.3.5 repeals all combined policies. Policies 3.3.7 and 5.3.4 will become duplicates of Policy 2.3.5 for easy reference purposes.

Trustee Karen Howard identified herself as a woman of color prior to discussing Policy 2.3.5, expressing concern.

North Carolina’s HB 805 acknowledges only two sexes, male and female, in state policies based on birth biology. However, civil rights compliance policies like Policy 2.3.5 must be compliant with federal non-discrimination standards: Title VII, Title IX, and EEOC regulations.

Federal complaints can be filed by employees or students with gender dysphoria if state policies result in unlawful discrimination.

Under Policy 2.3.5, restricting facility access or imposing unsafe arrangements on people with gender dysphoria may qualify as harassment or discrimination.

“[For] Students with all kinds of identity challenges…We follow the law,” CCCC President Dr. Lisa Chapman answered in response to Howard’s question about students with gender dysphoria having a safe place to use the bathroom.

Board Attorney Jonathan White pointed out the main impact on the college.

According to the new policy, “the college shall not establish, maintain, or otherwise implement a process for reporting or investigating offensive or unwanted speech that is protected by the First Amendment, including satire or speech labeled as microaggression. Free speech, however, may be restricted when and where appropriate.”

The board approved Policy 2.3.5 updates unanimously.

The board approved repealing Policy 6.3.7 – Historically Underutilized Business to meet state compliance against the wishes of three trustees.

North Carolina’s 2026 Appropriations Act, Session Law 2026-41, signed on July 7, 2026, cancelled Policy 6.3.7. The new law removed the administrative and compliance system public institutions used to enforce race and gender-based contracting, allowing for universal enterprise.

Vice Chairman James Crawford and Trustees Gladys McAuley and Howard voted against repealing Policy 6.3.7.

Chairman Julian Philpott said he did not agree with the state repealing Policy 6.3.7.

The board approved revisions and consolidations for the following policies:

Policy 1.1.3 – Adopting Policies & Procedures [Revision] – Revises policy to streamline and simplify policy adoption while also better reflecting current board practices.

Policy 2.2.4 – Naming Facilities, Programs, and Scholarships [Revision] – Revised to align with Session Law 2026-21.

Policy 2.2.5 – Design Professional Services & Construction Work [Revision] – Revised to align with Session Law 2026-21.

Policy 2.3.5 – Harassment, Discrimination, & Civil Rights Compliance [Consolidation & Revision] – Replaces Policy 2.3.5 – Campus Free Speech, Distribution of Material, and Assembly; combines Policy 2.3.5 with Policy 2.3.7- Americans with Disabilities Act, Policy 3.3.7 – Discrimination, Harassment, & Title IX, and Policy 5.3.4 – Discrimination, Harassment, & Title IX. Includes changes to align with Session Law 2026-21. Expanded policy to cover all major civil rights obligations. Passing Policy 2.3.5 repeals all combined policies; Policies 3.3.7 and 5.3.4 will become duplicates of Policy 2.3.5 for easy reference purposes.

Policy 3.1.1 – Equal Employment Opportunity [Revision] – Revised to align with Session Law 2026-21.

Policy 3.1.2 – Employment [Revision] – Revised to align with Session Law 2026-21.

Policy 3.3.9 – Reduction in Force & Involuntary Leave Without Pay [Revision] – Revised to align with Session Law 2026-21.

Modular Building for Sale

The board adopted a resolution to sell Pod B adjacent to the Center for Workforce Innovation at 5910 Enterprise Park Drive in Sanford. Its value is estimated to be over $30k. It is being sold as-is without a warranty. The bidding begins on Oct. 12 on GovDeals electronic auction website and ends Oct. 28, 2026.

The next meeting is a committee meeting on Nov. 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic and Conference Center, Executive Boardroom.

Sept. 14, 2026

Stephanie M. Sellers

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