The Board shall:

(1) be responsible for the state-level development, implementation, coordination, and operation of an adequate and high quality post-high school vocational, technical, and occupational diploma and associate degree courses, programs, and adult short-term training programs and courses financed in whole or in part by state funds; such courses and programs to be characterized by a continuing strong emphasis on the employment needs of the State, the communities, and people of South Carolina;

(2) establish criteria for and approve the awarding of certificates, diplomas, and associate (but not baccalaureate) degrees to students who successfully complete authorized and prescribed courses and programs of study and training;

(3) participate in the various programs of federal aid to public, post-secondary, two-year institutions, and to the students therein;

(4) accept and administer donations of funds, grants, real property, or equipment from individuals, corporations, foundations, and governmental bodies;

(5) establish a minimum and maximum tuition fee with the approval of the area commissions. Any fees charged above or below this established fee schedule shall require the approval of the Board and the appropriate area commissions;

(6) require accountability for and maintain inventory records over all donated equipment, all real property, and equipment in the South Carolina Technical Education System which is purchased by or for the institutions and programs regardless of source of funds. All inventory records shall identify sources of funds and ownership of all items;

(7) establish criteria for the justification of a new facility or the modification of existing facilities. No new facilities or modification of existing facilities shall occur without the approval of the area commission and the Board, and the location of any such new facility or modification of an existing facility in a particular county is subject to the approval of a majority of the members of the area commission from that county;

(8) employ an executive director and such other personnel as may be necessary for the Board to fulfill its duties and responsibilities;

(9) file reports on its activities annually, with such recommendations as may be appropriate, to the Governor and General Assembly;

(10) continue the special schools training program for new and expanding industry and business, closely coordinated with the state's economic development efforts;

(11) accept and administer federal funds provided to the State through the Job Training Partnership Act or succeeding programs;

(12) in accordance with memoranda of agreement with the South Carolina State Board of Education, beginning with the 1986-87 school year, accept and administer federal funds allocated to the State and required to be used for adult vocational training and retraining;

(13) assure leadership in education and training among state agencies in aiding businesses and industries faced with the curtailment or the reduction of their work force and assist displaced employees and welfare recipients in assessing their educational needs and providing education and training to meet those needs.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 21-704.15; 1972 (57) 2469; 1976 Act No. 654, Section 5; 1986 Act No. 394, Section 9.