The University of North Carolina at Asheville

In 1961 the school, then called Asheville-Biltmore College, relocated to its present site in north Asheville. The college awarded its first baccalaureate degrees in 1966, and three years later in 1969 joined The University of North Carolina system as the University of North Carolina at Asheville. The 265-acre campus comprises 30 buildings for classrooms, administration, residence and recreation, as well as the University Botanical Gardens. In its 29 years as UNC Asheville, the university has maintained a distinctive position within the 16-member UNC system in its primary mission: to offer an undergraduate liberal arts education of superior quality for serious and able students.

The focus continues to be on undergraduate liberal arts education, and faculty members distinguish themselves as outstanding teachers. Class size remains small, and community support is strong. The University's reputation for excellence now reaches far beyond its mountain setting. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching classifies UNC Asheville as a Liberal Arts I University, one of 162 American higher education institutions so noted for excellence and highly qualified students. The University of North Carolina system has designated UNC Asheville as its undergraduate liberal arts university, the only North Carolina public university assigned this role. The 1997 Fiske Guide to Colleges says, "UNCA has emerged as one of the premier institutions offering the kind of education you would expect at a small, private liberal arts college, but it provides it at a public-school price. In growing numbers, students are drawn to UNCA's rigorous academics, small classes and beautiful setting."

UNC Asheville offers the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in the arts and humanities, the natural and social sciences, and selected pre-professional and professional programs firmly grounded in the liberal arts. The University also offers a multidisciplinary Master of Liberal Arts degree program. Students pursuing Bachelor of Arts degrees explore diverse liberal arts disciplines while gaining solid theoretical and practical knowledge in their major fields of study. Students in the Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Science degree programs focus on a specific discipline.

The University is fully accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

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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.

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Commitment to Equal Opportunity

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, CPO #1450, University of North Carolina at Asheville, One University Heights, Asheville, NC 28804-8503.

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The Campus

D. Hiden Ramsey Library and Media Center, at the head of the UNCA quadrangle, offers a spectacular view toward Mount Pisgah. It is the heart of the University's academic life. The library houses about 350,000 books, bound serials and government documents; 6,000 audio and  video materials; and 2,000 periodical subscriptions. Innopac, the integrated online library system, indicates the current availability of all titles and allows the search of UNCA's library holdings and those of Western Carolina and Appalachian State universities. The library maintains special collections of photographs documenting Western North Carolina history, rare books, manuscripts, papers of prominent area citizens, and materials relating to Jewish history in the Southeast, the culture of the Southern Highlands and curriculum materials. The library staff provides assistance and instruction in research skills. The recently renovated 60,000-square-foot library offers attractive, comfortable areas for reading and studying on three levels, with student and faculty carrels, lounge areas and group study rooms. The refurbished Media Center has areas designed for using audio-visual materials for course-related work, as well as workstations to access millions of databases on the Internet.

Robinson and Rhoades Halls form a single facade on the southeast side of the quadrangle. They house the departments of Atmospheric Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics and Environmental Studies and the North Carolina State University Engineering program. Also here is the University Computer Center, which serves instructional programs, research and administrative functions. Steelcase Teleconference Center, UNCA's distance learning facility, is located in Robinson Hall. The N.C. Center for Creative Retirement is in Rhoades Hall.

Phillips Hall, the administration building, is opposite the library on the quadrangle. The offices of the Chancellor and the Vice Chancellors for Academic Affairs, Financial Affairs and Student Affairs are located here. The building also houses the offices of Human Resources/Personnel, Business and Purchasing.

Lipinsky Hall is home to UNCA's Office of Enrollment Services, which includes the offices of Admissions, Academic Advising, Financial Aid and the Registrar. Also here are a 644-seat auditorium and UNCA's Music Department, complete with soundproof rehearsal rooms, a computer-based electronic music/digital synthesis laboratory, and a multitrack recording studio.

Carmichael Hall houses the Classics, Foreign Languages, History and Philosophy departments, as well as the 330-seat Humanities Lecture Hall.

Carol Belk Theatre is home to UNCA's Drama Department, where classes, rehearsals, technical production and performances take place. The 200-seat arena theatre adapts to productions by Theatre UNCA and Tanglewood Theatre, the children's theatre program of UNCA.

Owen Hall houses the Management and Art departments, as well as an exhibition gallery. Owen Conference Center, located on the third floor, is frequently used for UNCA and community events. The College for Seniors, a program of the N.C. Center for Creative Retirement, is located in Owen Hall, as is the office of the Vice Chancellor for University Relations.

Zageir Hall has the Education, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology departments, as well as Printing Services.

Karpen Hall is home to the Asheville Graduate Center, Master of Liberal Arts Program, Laurel Forum (the honors library) and the departments of Literature and Language, Mass Communication and Economics.

Justice Center, UNCA's athletics and recreation complex, includes a 2,200-seat gymnasium, indoor swimming pool and locker rooms. The Health and Fitness Center addition, opened in February 1997, is a 53,000-square-foot facility with a state-of-the-art weight and fitness room,

1/10-mile indoor track, classrooms and courts for basketball, volleyball, racquetball and squash. It opens onto the all-weather outdoor track and soccer, baseball and intramural fields, as well as the university tennis courts.

Students who wish to live on campus have a variety of options. South Ridge Hall provides double-occupancy rooms clustered around pods. Many rooms overlook the University Botanical Gardens. Mills Hall was designed to afford privacy with the satisfaction of rooming with others. Each carpeted, air-conditioned, apartment-style suite includes two double-occupancy bedrooms,  a living room and a bathroom. Founders Hall, adjacent to the Highsmith University Center, offers double-occupancy rooms and spectacular mountain views. The Housing Office is located here. Governors Village is a complex of small single-room residence halls. The Department of Public Safety is located here.

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

The Dining Hall, which opened in 1995 next to Highsmith University Center, offers seating in a relaxing restaurantlike atmosphere with scenic mountain views. Students take their meals here, as do many faculty and staff members.

The University Botanical Gardens are maintained by a non-profit organization on a 10-acre preserve adjacent to the main campus. It features thousands of labeled plants and trees native to the Southern Appalachians. The gardens serve as a study center for botany students, a refuge for wildlife and a source of enjoyment for the University and community.

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University Calendar

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