Central Piedmont Community College

Bulldog Bound Agreement

PARTIES
Effective as of the first day of May, 2024 (“Effective Date”), Central Piedmont Community College (“Central Piedmont”) and Gardner-Webb University, (“GWU”) and collectively with Central Piedmont, the “Parties” agree to the following terms and conditions governing an academic program conducted by and between the Parties.
BACKGROUND
Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, North Carolina, is a private, Christian, Baptist-related university, providing outstanding undergraduate and graduate education that is strongly grounded in the liberal arts while offering opportunities to prepare for various professions. Central Piedmont is a public community college with six campuses and three centers in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. The Parties have a shared geographic perspective and a shared desire to strengthen the learning community and workforce development of Mecklenburg County, the piedmont of North Carolina, and the State of North Carolina and beyond.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Articulation Agreement is to assist graduates from Central Piedmont in obtaining an undergraduate degree at Gardner-Webb University.
GUIDELINES
This section sets forth the general guidelines for this Articulation Agreement to be effective fall 2024 and will continue through fall 2027. Both Parties agree to abide by these guidelines and review them annually by representatives of each institution, prior to the anniversary date of the agreement. The purpose of the annual review shall be to ensure that the academic content and quality of all courses offered by Central Piedmont are comparable to the corresponding courses regularly offered by Gardner-Webb. These include not only those specifically taught by the programs, but also those taught by supporting departments at Gardner-Webb.
TERM
The term of this agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and will continue for three years (the “Initial Term”). Upon expiration of the Initial Term, the parties shall have the option to renew for one additional year period (“Renewal Term”), provided that renewing party provides the other with written notice of renewal at least sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of the then-existing Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable. Any addenda to this agreement shall be in writing and agreed to by both Parties.
TRANSFER ADMISSION PROMISE PROGRAM
GWU and Central Piedmont will create and administer a program on each Party’s campus called Bulldog Bound: A Direct-Entry Admission Program (the “Program”). The Program name may be changed upon the mutual written consent of both Parties. (NOTE: The Direct-Entry Admission Program discussed within this MOU pertains to admission to the University and not to a specific degree program. Some GWU programs of study have their own programmatic admission criteria, standards, policies, processes and deadlines.)

Bulldog Bound is a co-admission program between GWU and Central Piedmont intended for successful community college students who plan to transfer to GWU after completing Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), Associate of Arts in Teacher Preparation (AATP), Associate of Science in Teacher Preparation (ASTP), Associate of Fine Arts in Visual Arts (AFA), or Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree through an institutional or state-wide articulation agreement.

The Program will allow currently enrolled Central Piedmont students a direct-entry pathway to GWU available upon graduation from Central Piedmont. Students who wish to participate in the Program must satisfy the following conditions:
- Be a currently enrolled student at Central Piedmont in a degree-seeking capacity;
- Submit GWU application for admission and disciplinary forms by GWU deadlines;
- Submit application fee or waiver and fulfill all commitment actions steps;
- Be in good standing at Central Piedmont and other institutions attended;
- Demonstrate good citizenship and conduct;
- Earn and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 at Central Piedmont and a minimum GPA of 2.20 in their most recent term; and
- Earn an Associate’s degree from Central Piedmont in a college transfer program or in an applied program for which an articulation agreement exists.
- Enroll at GWU within one academic year (within the next two regular terms (fall/ spring semesters) of completion of the Associate’s degree).
- Meet all admissions requirements of GWU.
While enrolled at Central Piedmont, students will identify their interest in the Program by completing a brief, online form provided by the Central

Piedmont Transfer Counselor. There is no Program participation fee. Students who discontinue their participation will be expected to transition to GWU through regular admission channels. Students who enroll at another college or university after their Central Piedmont enrollment also will be expected to transition to GWU through regular admission channels.

The Program affords college students access to information about academic programs, faculty, and staff at the GWU campus who will facilitate their transition to GWU. This Program prioritizes the ability to receive admission, financial aid, registration and orientation communications early in the transition process, which sets Central Piedmont students up for maximum success at both institutions.

The Program requires completion of the Associate’s degree from Central Piedmont for guaranteed admission. In cases where Program participants matriculate prior to completing the Associate’s degree, a Reverse Transfer Process provides the opportunity for students to complete their Associate’s degree after transferring to GWU.

Additional benefits that serve both campuses may be added to the Program structure by mutual written consent of both Parties. Examples may include, but are not limited to, consortium agreements for cross-campus enrollment in individual courses and invitations to selective events or programs.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF BOTH PARTIES
- Disseminating information about the Program to Mecklenburg County, Gardner-Webb University communities and statewide;
- Raising awareness of the Program with relevant members of the Central Piedmont and GWU campus communities;
- The University Transfer Advising Coordinator at Central Piedmont will work in concert with the identified Primary Point of Contact at GWU in the development and maintenance of the program. The Central Piedmont Transfer Advising Coordinator, will also serve as the point person for GWU representatives while they are on campus;
- Developing and providing an online registration form for Central Piedmont students to express interest in the Program;
- Providing faculty and staff to serve on the Program Committee;
- Providing real-time resource and information to Central Piedmont students, on the Central Piedmont campuses, for students who express interest in the Program;
- Developing and maintaining a list of students who register to participate in the Program;
- Communicating with students who register to participate in the Program; and
- Providing guest-speaker access to Central Piedmont students for services and opportunities that will be available after transitioning to the GWU campus. Some examples of guests that could be made available to Central Piedmont students include, but are not limited to, academic program chairs and faculty, academic advisors, admissions and financial aid counselors, student life staff, and student success representatives. This provision does not imply that instructional time will be provided for guest-speaker access.
Central Piedmont will be responsible for:
- Aiding Central Piedmont students pursuing the benefits of the Program to fulfill the requirements for admission to GWU;
- Educating participants as to program-level admission opportunities and requirements;
- Complying with all applicable federal and state laws and Central Piedmont policies, including but not limited to
  those related to financial aid; and
- Working collaboratively with GWU staff assigned to serve on the Program Committee.
Gardner-Webb University will be responsible for:
- Advising and assisting Central Piedmont students pursuing the benefits of the Program in fulfilling the requirements for admission to GWU;
- Educating participants as to program-level admission opportunities and requirements;
- Complying with all applicable federal and state laws, GWU policies, including but not limited to those related to financial aid;
- Disseminating information about the Program to members of the GWU campus community;
- Providing representatives assigned to administer the Program;
- Disseminating information about the Program to candidates for admission who are not offered admission directly to GWU about the possibility to participate in the Program as a student at Central Piedmont; and
- Guaranteeing admission for applicants from Central Piedmont who suffices all requirements in the above agreement.
NOTICE
The Parties designate the following individual(s) to administer and oversee the Program on behalf of his or her Party.
- For Central Piedmont: Academic Advising and Transfer Services
- For Gardner-Webb University: GWU Enrollment Staff
ADMISSIONS
Students must meet all the admissions requirements of Gardner-Webb, including completion of the application, submission of official transcripts from all institutions attended, a written personal statement, and payment of the application fee.
RESIDENCY/GRADUATION
Students must meet the residency and graduation requirements of Gardner-Webb according to their catalog of entry. Students must complete their programs at Central Piedmont.
CREDIT TRANSFER
Students may transfer a maximum of 60 credit hours from Central Piedmont. Up to 30 credits from other accredited four-year institutions are possible for a total of 90 credits. The remaining credit hours for the degree must be completed at Gardner-Webb. Students will receive transfer credit for courses taken at Central Piedmont according to the equivalency list. Other courses taken at Central Piedmont will be evaluated for transfer on a course-by-course basis by the Gardener-Webb Registrar’s Office. To receive credit for a course, a student must have earned a “C” or better. A status of incomplete (“I”) or Pass (“P”) will not be considered for transfer.
DATA EXCHANGE
By entering into this agreement, and subject to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Gardner-Webb agrees to provide Central Piedmont comprehensive historical enrollment and graduation data for all former Central Piedmont graduates participating in this program at Gardner-Webb once each year, no later than July 1 of each year.
ACCREDITATION:
Both Parties will ensure that they maintain accreditation with the appropriate regional accrediting agency and ensure that all operations will be in keeping with accreditation requirements of the two institutions.
FERPA
To the extent that both Parties are considered a school official with a legitimate educational interest in the education records under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act(20 U.S.C. § 1232g), (“FERPA”), both will ensure that their use of education records or information from education records (as defined by FERPA) complies with FERPA and any implementing regulations or subsequent amendments thereto. In addition, the Parties agree only to utilize or disclose information from students’ education records for the purposes of performing their duties pursuant to this Agreement.
INDEMNIFICATION
To the extent allowed by North Carolina law, including but not limited to the North Carolina Tort Claims Act(N.C. Gen. Stat. 143-291 et seq.), each Party agrees to Indemnify and hold harmless the other Party for its own acts or omissions and any and all claims, liabilities, injuries, suits, losses, costs, demands and expenses of all kinds (including reasonable attorney’s fees) which may result or arise out of any alleged malfeasance or neglect caused or alleged to be caused by that Party, its agents, officers, employees, volunteers or representatives connected with this Agreement. In the event that a claim is made against both Parties, it is the intent of both Parties to cooperate in the defense of said claim and to cause the insurers to do likewise.
FORCE MAJEURE
Neither Party shall be deemed to be in default of its obligations hereunder if and so long as it is prevented from performing such obligations by any act of war, locally declared state of emergency, epidemic, pandemic, disease (i.e., SARS, COVID-19), hostile action, nuclear explosion, riot, strikes, civil insurrection, earthquake, hurricane, tornado, catastrophic natural event, act of God, or any other event beyond the Parties control making it inadvisable, illegal, or impossible to perform their obligations under the Agreement.
ASSIGNMENT
Neither Party shall be permitted to assign any of its rights, privileges, or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Party. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and to their respective heirs, personal representatives, successors and permitted assigns.
ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement (including any documents mutually incorporated specifically herein) represents the entire Agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior oral or written statements or agreements. All promises, requirements, terms, conditions, provisions, representations, guarantees, and warranties contained herein shall survive the Agreement expiration or termination date unless specifically provided otherwise herein, or unless superseded by applicable Federal or State statutes of limitation. The voiding or waiver of any portion of this Agreement does not void the entire Agreement.
AMENDMENTS
This Agreement may only be amended by a written instrument executed by both Gardner-Webb and Central Piedmont.
TERMINATION
Either Party may terminate this agreement by submitting a written notice of intent at least 90 days in advance prior to termination, but subject to the provision that such termination shall not become effective until the end of the then current academic semester at the terminating member’s institution. Students currently enrolled will be given up to two academic years to complete the program.
COUNTERPARTS; SIGNATURES
This Agreement may be executed in counterpart signatures, each of which shall be deemed an original and together shall constitute one instrument. Facsimile and electronic signatures of this Agreement shall be treated as original signatures and given full force and effect.
GOVERNING LAW
This MOU is subject to applicable Federal and North Carolina State law. It is also subject to the policies and regulations of Gardner-Webb University, and the policies and regulations of the North Carolina Community College System. The laws of the State of North Carolina govern the validity, performance, and enforcement of this Agreement without reference to the rules of the conflicts of laws or any choice of law principle that would dictate the application of the law of another jurisdiction. All disputes regarding this Agreement will be resolved by a court of competent jurisdiction in the County of Mecklenburg in the State of North Carolina. Each party consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina in any proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, and waives any defense related to venue or inconvenient forum.
ATTORNEY FEES
If any legal action occurs, the prevailing party shall be entitled to a refund of any and all costs including attorney fees, court fees, and travel fees.
SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the provision shall be deemed to be severable from the remainder of this Agreement and shall not cause the invalidity or unenforceability of the remainder of this Agreement.
RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES
It is expressly acknowledged by the Parties that they are independent contractors and nothing in this MOU is intended or shall be construed to create an employer/employee relationship, partnership or a joint venture relationship so as to allow one Party to exercise control or direction over the manner or method by which the other Parties perform the services which are the subject matter of this MOU. Neither Party is authorized or empowered to act as agent for the other for any purpose and shall not on behalf of the other enter into any contract, warranty, or representation as to any matter. Neither Party shall be bound by the acts or conduct of the other Party. Neither Party, nor any other person performing services on behalf of such Party pursuant to this MOU, shall have any right or claim against the other party for Social Security benefits, workers’ compensation benefits, disability benefits, unemployment insurance benefits, health insurance benefits, paid time off, or any other employee benefit.