RBC enrollment dips about 10%; Board approves remediation of president’s house and temporary housing allowance

Richard Bland College President Debbie L. Sydow told the Board of Visitors on Nov. 19 that RBC’s enrollment has fallen "approximately 10.2% year-over-year beginning in fall of 2020," a drop she linked in part to pandemic-driven access gaps for low-income students.

Sydow said RBC is pursuing efforts to grow its core population, expand dual enrollment and transform its model of education to respond to those enrollment challenges. She told the Board RBC would present a Title IX compliance and athletics status report at the February 2022 meeting.

Separately, the Board approved Resolution HC-1, which found mold and asbestos in the RBC president’s residence and authorized remediation to be funded from RBC maintenance reserves. The resolution also approved a $50,000 housing allowance to be paid from RBC Foundation funds to cover living expenses and related tax liabilities while remediation is underway; the allowance is to be disbursed as a salary supplement for the period Dec. 1, 2021–Feb. 28, 2022. The remediation and allowance were approved as part of actions following a closed session and were adopted by voice vote.

Motion and votes: Resolution HC-1 (Remediation of Richard Bland College’s President’s House) was moved by Mr. William H. Payne II, seconded by Mr. Victor K. Branch, and approved by voice vote. The resolution text specifies that repairs be carried out according to applicable College and state procurement and capital project policies.