History of the University || Mission Statement ||
Commitment to Equal Opportunity || The Campus || University Calendar
UNCA Catalog: Table of Contents

The University of North Carolina at Asheville

The University of North Carolina at Asheville is the designated liberal arts university in The University of North Carolina system. An outstanding learning community, UNCA focuses its resources on academic excellence in undergraduate liberal arts education and community partnerships with the region.

UNC Asheville opened in 1927 as Buncombe County Junior College for area residents interested in pursuing higher education. The school underwent several name changes, mergers with local governments and school systems, and moves before relocating in 1961 to its present campus in north Asheville. Asheville-Biltmore College joined The University of North Carolina system in 1969 as the University of North Carolina at Asheville, with the distinct mission to offer an undergraduate liberal arts education of superior quality. Today, UNC Asheville is the only designated undergraduate liberal arts university in the 16-member UNC system and one of only six public universities in the country designated as a national liberal arts university (Liberal Arts I).

UNC Asheville enrolls 3,200 students pursuing bachelor's degrees in about 30 majors in the natural and social sciences, humanities, preprofessional and professional areas, as well as the Master of Liberal Arts. With an average class size of 19, UNC Asheville emphasizes a personalized education characterized by close faculty-student interactions, challenging academic programs and service-learning activities. The university has received national recognition for its interdisciplinary approach to undergraduate liberal arts education, specifically its Undergraduate Research and Humanities programs. Faculty and students founded the National Conference on Undergraduate Research in 1986 and it rotates annually to major universities across the country. The Humanities Program, a four-course sequence of world history and culture required of all degree-seeking students, has been a national model followed by other schools starting humanities programs. Through UNCA's Key Center for Service-Learning, students integrate community service into their academic experience.

UNCA's innovative academic programs, interdisciplinary approach and reasonable cost draw praise from the national college guidebooks annually. The popular Fiske Guide to Colleges ranks UNCA among its top 20 Best Buys in public higher education, saying, "The University of North Carolina at Asheville offers all the perks that are generally associated with pricier private institutions: rigorous academics, small classes and a beautiful setting. And it does it for a fraction of the cost. All the ingredients for a superior college experience lie in wait at Asheville." The Princeton Review: the Best 311 Colleges lists UNCA in this select group, saying, "For students who seek a public education in a smaller campus environment, this is a great choice." The Templeton Guide: Colleges that Encourage Character Development cited UNCA's First-Year Experience as an exemplary college program.

The 265-acre campus comprises about 30 buildings for classrooms, administration, residence and recreation, with a new Master Plan in place for expansion over 20 years. The newest buildings on the scenic UNCA campus are two residence halls, South Ridge and West Ridge; a state-of-the-art Health and Fitness Center addition to Justice Athletic Center; and the Dining Hall. The campus houses the Asheville Graduate Center, which offers master's and doctoral degree programs of other UNC institutions for people of the region, and the nationally prominent N.C. Center for Creative Retirement, which provides programs that enhance the lives of older adults.

Under the new leadership of Chancellor James H. Mullen Jr., who took office in August 1999, UNCA is advancing as the premier public liberal arts university in the country. UNC Asheville is pursuing new initiatives that emphasize academic excellence, service-learning, diversity and community partnerships.

Return to the top of the page

Mission Statement

The university is committed to a liberating education emphasizing the central role of humane values in thought and action, the free and rigorous pursuit of truth, and a respect for differing points of view and heritage. It aims to develop men and women of broad perspective who think critically and creatively and who communicate effectively.

The university maintains undergraduate programs in the arts, the humanities, and the natural and social sciences, and offers at the graduate level the Master of Liberal Arts. It promotes understanding of the connections among the traditional disciplines of the liberal arts through interdisciplinary studies and integrates these areas of inquiry with programs that prepare students for meaningful careers and professions.

Small by choice, the university brings together faculty and students of diverse cultural and geographical backgrounds to interact closely in a supportive community of learning. It promotes innovation in curriculum and instruction by a faculty dedicated to teaching. It fosters scholarship and creative activities by faculty and students alike.

It encourages students to develop their interests and abilities beyond the classroom through co-curricular programs.

The university is committed to serving the community in ways that complement its educational mission. It makes resources available to students at all stages of life for personal growth. Through the Asheville Graduate Center, the university offers programs for advanced professional study. The university seeks to enrich cultural life, enhance the conduct of public affairs, and contribute to the advancement of the region, the state and the nation.

The ultimate aim of the university is to provide students the best possible opportunity to acquire the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to pursue their goals, to find meaning in their lives, and to take their places as contributing citizens of a changing society.

Return to the top of the page

Commitment to Equal Opportunity

The University of North Carolina at Asheville is committed to equality of educational and employment opportunity for applicants, students and employees. As such, the university does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation or disability. UNCA is open to people of all races and actively seeks to promote continued racial integration by recruiting and enrolling a diverse student body. As a liberal arts institution, it is important that we create a learning community that reflects the diversity and multiculturalism of our changing world.

The university supports the federal laws protecting members of its community, including Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, Executive Order 11246, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1988, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Sections 799A and 845 of the Public Health Service Act, N.C. General Statutes 126­16 and 126­17 and other applicable federal and state laws.

More information about the university's commitment to Equal Opportunity may be obtained from the Affirmative Action Officer,
Human Resources,
232 Phillips Hall, CPO #1450,
University of North Carolina at Asheville,
One University Heights,
Asheville, NC 28804-8503.

Return to the top of the page

The Campus

The 265-acre UNCA campus is located one mile north of downtown Asheville, a growing city of 75,000 that offers a unique blend of modern living and mountain culture. The Blue Ridge Mountains surround the city and the campus, providing outdoor recreation and study opportunities. Classroom buildings are situated on the main UNCA quadrangle, as follows.

Ramsey Library and Media Center is prominent on the quadrangle and offers a spectacular view of Mount Pisgah to the west. The library houses 1,365 current journal subscriptions; 354,000 books, bound periodicals and government documents; 7,500 audio visuals; and 5,500 curriculum materials. The online library system connects students to the combined holdings of the libraries at UNCA, Western Carolina and Appalachian State universities' libraries, and provides access to hundreds of research databases via the World Wide Web. Ramsey Library maintains special collections including photographs documenting Western North Carolina history, rare books, manuscripts, papers of prominent area citizens, and materials r elating to Jewish history in the Southeast and the culture of the Southern Highlands. The library staff provides assistance and instruction in research skills. The facility offers attractive, comfortable areas for reading and studying on three levels, with student and faculty carrels and group study rooms. The Media Center has areas designed for using media materials for course-related work and houses the Square D Teleconference Center for distance learning.

Robinson and Rhoades Halls form a single facade on the southeast side of the quadrangle and house the departments of Atmospheric Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Environmental Studies, and the North Carolina State University Engineering Programs in Asheville. Also here are the University Computing, Steelcase Teleconference Center and the N.C. Center for Creative Retirement offices.

Phillips Hall,the administration building, houses the offices of the Chancellor and the Vice Chancellors for Academic Affairs, Financial Affairs and Student Affairs; and Human Resources/Personnel, Business and Purchasing.

Lipinsky Hall is home to UNCA's Office of Enrollment Services, which includes the offices of Ad- missions, Academic Advising, Financial Aid and the Registrar.The Music Department and the 644-seat Lipinsky Auditorium are in this building, next to the library.

Carmichael Hall houses the Classics, Foreign Languages, History and Philosophy departments, as well as the 330-seat Humanities Lecture Hall. The College for Seniors, a program of the N.C. Center for Creative Retirement, also has offices here.

Carol Belk Theatre is home to UNCA's Drama Department, where classes, rehearsals, technical production and performances in the 200-seat arena theatre take place.

Owen Hall houses the Management and Art departments, exhibition galleries and Owen Conference Center, as well as the office of the Vice Chancellor for University Relations (including Public Information, Development and Alumni Relations).

Zageir Hall is home to the Education, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology departments, and Printing Services.

Karpen Hall houses the departments of Literature and Language, Mass Communication and Economics, as well as the Asheville Graduate Center, Master of Liberal Arts Program, Multimedia Arts and Sciences Program and Laurel Forum meeting facility.

Justice Center, UNCA's athletics and recreation complex, includes an 1,100-seat arena, indoor swimming pool and Health and Fitness Center, which has a 1/10-mile indoor track, weight and fitness center, dance studio and multipurpose courts. Soccer, baseball and intramural fields and an all-weather outdoor track and tennis courts are just outside Justice Center.

Residence Halls. Five residence halls have single-, double- and suite-style arrangements. The newest are West Ridge and South Ridge (a substance-free residence hall); Mills and Founders are highrise double-occupancy buildings; and Governors Village is a complex of small single-room residences.

William E. Highsmith University Center, situated between the residence halls and Dining Hall, provides a convenient student meeting place with snack bar, recreation rooms, lounges, offices of student organizations, and the campus bookstore.

The Dining Hall, offers different meal-plan options in a convenient and friendly environment

The University Botanical Gardens a 10-acre preserve adjacent to the main campus, showcases labeled plants and trees native to the Southern Appalachians. The gardens are a study center for botany students, a refuge for wildlife, and a source of enjoyment for the community.

Return to the top of the page

University Calendar 2000-2001

Spring Semester 2001
January	9	Tuesday	Registration
	10	Wednesday	Classes begin Late registration
	12	Friday	Last day to register Term I Last day to drop/add Term I
	15	Monday	Martin Luther King Jr. birthday observance
	17	Wednesday	Last day to drop/add full term Last day to register full term
	31	Wednesday	Last day to withdraw Term I
February	21	Wednesday	Last day to withdraw full semester
March	2	Friday	Term I classes end
	5	Monday	Spring Break begins
	12	Monday	Classes resume Classes begin for Term II
	14	Wednesday	Last day to register Term II Last day to drop/add Term II
	19	Monday	Academic advising for Summer and Fall begins
	30	Friday	Academic advising ends
April	2	Monday	Registration for Summer and Fall 2001 begins Last day to withdraw Term II
	4	Wednesday	Incomplete grades due in Registrar's Office
	13	Friday	Registration by appointment Ends
May	2	Wednesday	Classes end
	3	Thursday	Reading Day Senior grades due in Registrar's Office at noon
	4	Friday	Final Exams begin
	10	Thursday	Final Exams end
	12	Saturday	Commencement
	14	Monday	Final grades due in Registrar's Office at noon

Summer Semester 2001
May	25	Friday	Registration for summer
	28	Monday	Memorial Day Holiday
	29	Tuesday	Classes begin Term I Late registration Term I
	31	Thursday	Last day to register Term I Last day to drop/add Term I
June	1	Friday	Deadline to apply for July graduation
	8	Friday	Registration Term II
	11	Monday	Classes Begin Term II Late Registration Term II
	13	Wednesday	Last day to drop/add, register Term II Last day to withdraw Term I
	22	Friday	Last day to withdraw Term II
July	4	Wednesday	Independence day holiday
	17	Tuesday	Classes end end for summer semester
	20	Friday	Grades for all terms due in Registrar's Office

Return to the top of the page