Student life at the University of North Carolina at Asheville encompasses organized activities outside the classroom that involve student participation or support students in a formal way. It is an especially broad field. Administratively, the Office of Student Affairs has responsibility for the development and coordination of out-of-classroom student services and programs, including: Residence Life, Student Center and Student Activities, Department of Public Safety, Counseling and Career Services, Student Development, Student Health Services, Dining Services, Multicultural Student Services, Orientation and Special Student Services, and Recreation and Intramurals.
A number of University committees are concerned with student life and programs, including the Campus Commission on Student Services Funds, Cultural and Special Events Committee, University Program Board (Underdog Productions), Food Services Committee, Recreation and Intramurals Committee and Parking Commission. The Office of Student Affairs maintains a close relationship with these committees. It also is responsible for the administration and coordination of services for disabled students, overseeing the disciplinary and due process system, maintaining a liaison with the Student Government Association and, in general, providing a coordinated approach to student services and programs.
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Highsmith University Center provides students with a place to meet and relax with friends and to participate in the many activities and events planned by Underdog Productions, the student-run programming board. The Center is also the focal point of activity for many student events and meetings coordinated by student organizations, faculty and staff.
Facilities and services available in the Highsmith University Center include a student lounge, TV lounge, gameroom, snack bar, bookstore, vending machines, copy machine, ride board and lockers.
Also housed in the Highsmith Center are the offices of Student Development, Student Activities, Orientation and Special Student Services, Campus Commission, Student Government Association, Underdog Productions and African American Student Development, as well as the Highsmith Center director and Student Volunteer Coordinator and clubs such as the African American Student Association and International Student Association.
Underdog Productions (UP) is the campus activities planning board of UNCA, which sponsors entertaining and enriching programs. Most events are free to students, staff and faculty, and some programs are open to the public for a small admission fee.
Approximately 20 student leaders make up Underdog's five standing committees, which select and produce activities to fill the social, recreational and entertainment calendar on campus. Recent activities have included concerts, "open mike" nights, novelty acts, nationally known comics, College Bowl competitions, lectures and workshops on student life issues. Underdog Productions also sponsors outdoors programs such as wall and rock climbing, rafting, backpacking and ice skating excursions. Its committees plan programs that underscore UNCA's diverse student body. Participation is open to all students.
Composed of students, faculty and staff, the committee schedules events to enrich, expand and extend the academic, intellectual and cultural atmosphere of the campus and the broader community of western North Carolina. Performances range from touring Broadway plays and dance companies to concerts of classical, jazz and international music.
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The Office of Student Development implements and coordinates out-of-classroom services and programs for diverse student populations at UNCA. These services and programs are designed to help students develop personally and academically. Among them are:
The UNCA Student Leadership Program was developed with the belief that leadership skills can be learned and that UNCA students deserve the best program available to develop these skills. The program's intent is to provide student organizations with more effective and efficient leaders. Seminars and workshops are offered, providing many opportunities for student involvement. More information may be obtained from the Director of Student Development, 35 Highsmith Center, 251-6670.
This office provides services to non-traditional students, commuter students and students with physical or learning disabilities. Special Student Services seeks to assist all students in learning about and succeeding at UNCA. Orientation programs at the beginning of each semester and other relevant programs and services throughout the year are available, including off-campus housing information, a ride board and special assistance for disabled students. More information may be obtained from the office, 35 Highsmith Center, 828/251-6584.
The Office of African American Student Development seeks to help African American students academically, socially, culturally and personally. The office is responsible for developing, coordinating and implementing programs and activities to involve African American students in the UNCA and Asheville communities. Programs include African American Student Leadership Convocation, Kwanza, African American Heritage Month, Awards Banquet, Host Family Program, African American Experience Retreat, Mentor Program, lectures, workshops and other activities. In addition, the office works with the Ebony Ensemble, Project We Hear You, International Student Association and African American Student Association. More information may be obtained from the office, 30 Highsmith Center, 828/251-6671.
The Office of Student Development seeks to help international students adjust to campus life. Through the International Student Association, it helps plan programs and activities for international students, such as musical events, films, food samplings and other social events. The office also coordinates the health insurance requirements for international students and publishes the International Student Handbook. More information may be obtained from the Student Development Coordinator, 34 Highsmith Center, 828/251-6998.
An important aspect of college life is student involvement in co-curricular student organizations. There are more than 70 social and special interest clubs and honor societies at UNCA, including six Greek-letter sororities and fraternities and 12 religious organizations. Involvement in campus clubs and honor societies offers an opportunity to develop leadership skills, self-confidence and individual talents. Organizations are listed in the Student Handbook.
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The Student Government Association is recognized by the University as the governing body of the students at UNCA. The SGA plays a vital role in policy-making procedures, settling student grievances and establishing disciplinary measures. The president of the Student Government Association is a full, voting member of the Board of Trustees of UNCA.
The executive branch of the SGA is led by the president of the student body. The president is the elected representative of the entire student body and is charged with representing concerns of students as they are reflected by the Student Senate.
The Senate is responsible for recommending policies and procedures consistent with the welfare of the students. The legislative branch of the SGA, led by the vice president, is primarily responsible for this important function. All students should get to know their Senate representatives so problems and concerns of the student body can be properly reviewed. Senate meetings are held at least every other week during the academic year. All students are invited to attend these meetings.
The University Judicial System operates within a well-defined and structured Judicial Code. As established in the Constitution of the Student Government Association, the University Student Court is organized to give students true representation in matters involving student conduct and discipline.
Judicial hearings are not formal court trials in the legal sense of the term; they are informal hearings in which the student is given a fair and reasonable opportunity to make his or her defense to the charges made and to receive a hearing as meeting the requirements of justice, both to the University and to himself or herself as guaranteed by the United States Constitution.
The evidence for the charges is presented by the University student prosecutor, and the student may be represented in the hearing by the University student public defender. A court of seven student justices, led by the chief justice, hears the case and recommends a verdict and appropriate sanctions to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. For more information about Student Judiciary, refer to the Judicial Code printed in the Student Handbook. Student Government offices are located in the Highsmith University Center.
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The Blue Banner, the weekly student newspaper, is published Thursdays. It covers campus news and features and off-campus stories that affect students. The newspaper is a public forum for the views of students, faculty and staff. The students on the newspaper's editorial board make final decisions concerning content of the newspaper. Students interested in writing, photography or advertising work may visit the newspaper office, 208A Carmichael Hall, or call 828/251-6586.
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The University participates in NCAA Division I athletics, fielding 14 teams in men's basketball, soccer, baseball, cross country, tennis and indoor and outdoor track and women's basketball, tennis, volleyball, cross country, soccer and indoor and outdoor track. UNCA is one of eight colleges and universities in the Big South Conference. The men's and women's teams have won numerous conference championships in recent years, including men's basketball, volleyball and women's soccer, cross country and tennis. Cross country, soccer and basketball coaches have been named conference Coach of the Year recently.
UNCA Athletics offices are located in the Justice Center, which also has an indoor swimming pool, 2,200-seat basketball arena and locker rooms. The Health and Fitness Center addition opened in 1997 with extensive state-of-the-art weight training equipment, an elevated 1/10-mile indoor track and basketball, volleyball and racquetball courts. Outdoor facilities include Greenwood Fields for soccer and baseball, the University tennis courts and the newly resurfaced 1/4-mile track, new steeplechase pit and straight-away chute.
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UNCA's Recreation Program provides students, faculty and staff with a range of extracurricular activities. The new Health and Fitness Center and Justice Center offer many fitness opportunities in their extensive weight training facilities, indoor swimming pool, basketball courts, volleyball courts, racquetball courts, and indoor and outdoor tracks. The facilities are open to the campus community, and sports equipment is available for checkout.
Intramural sports offered throughout the year include flag football, volleyball, basketball, tennis, softball and soccer. Notices of intramural starting dates, sign-up procedures, schedules and standings are available in the Justice Center. An Intramural Director is also on hand to answer any questions.
The University's Outdoor Recreation Program provides instruction and information on many activities such as kayaking, bicycling, skiing and hiking, which take advantage of UNCA's mountain location.
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The University's residence halls are important components of campus life, offering a variety of experiences that contribute to intellectual, personal and social development. Several lifestyle options are available to meet the varied needs of students living on campus. Single students desiring to apply for assignment must submit a $100 deposit along with a signed application to the Housing Office after being admitted to the University. Assignments for new student applications are based on the date of application. Therefore, to ensure space in the residence halls, an early application is advised. Rooms are assigned only after the deposit and completed application are received. If all rooms are filled at that time, the student will be notified and placed on a waiting list to receive an assignment when vacancies occur.
Each room in the residence hall is furnished with a bed(s), study desk(s), closet(s), chairs and dresser(s). Students must provide their own pillows, bed linen, blankets, towels, lamps and waste baskets. They may bring radios, stereos and television sets as long as outside antennas are not required. Televisions are available in some residence hall lounges. Students are encouraged to decorate their rooms according to their own taste, in accordance with guidelines established by the Housing Office. Mills Hall, Founders Hall, South Ridge and Governors Village contain vending machines, mailboxes for residents, and laundry facilities.
More information may be obtained from the Housing Office, Founders Hall, 828/251-6700. Business hours are 8 a.m.5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Students who plan to live off campus make their own living arrangements. They are governed by the rules and regulations of the University when they are on campus. A current list of some off-campus housing is posted on the Housing Notice Board in Highsmith Center lobby.
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The Counseling Center provides services designed to assist students in making decisions concerning their total development, including educational and personal counseling. In addition to individual short-term counseling, the Center offers group counseling and workshops on a variety of topics throughout the year. The Center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. All services are free and confidential.
The Mediation Center is dedicated to helping the university community resolve conflict. Toward this end, it offers confidential mediation services at no charge, educational workshops and group facilitation services. Mediators are UNCA students, faculty and staff who have completed significant mediation training. Situations appropriate for mediation may include roommate conflicts, grade disputes, dating relationships, property damage, grievances, student organization differences, faculty/staff conflicts and student/parent issues. The Center is located in 218 Phillips Hall. For more information or a confidential appointment, call 828/232-5120.
The Career Center provides career planning and employment services to UNCA students and alumni. A professional staff is available to assist in deciding upon a major, career assessment, obtaining occupational information, developing resumes, honing interview skills and determining job hunting strategies. The Career Center also coordinates on-campus recruitment efforts. The Center's library houses employer, career, internship and graduate school information in book and software form, as well as current listings of full-time, part-time and summer job opportunities. The Career Center supervises on-campus testing programs related to graduate school admission, offers career-related courses and sponsors career education events.
The era of college health services functioning strictly as "infirmaries" has largely passed. Universities today more fully recognize the importance of health as it relates to an individual's ability to learn and serve. Strong administrative support for an active and innovative health service has allowed UNCA to provide outstanding care and involvement with the University community at one of the lowest fees in the state system. The role of Health Services extends beyond simply illness-related care to the areas of disease prevention and health promotion.
Health Services provides appropriate family practice-oriented care for the range of health needs and concerns of a varied population. Visits are covered through each student's health service fee, with on-the-spot charges for lab work only. Students are responsible for prescription medication costs as well. Health Services is open MondayFriday, 9 a.m.5 p.m., by appointment when school is in session, except during summer school when hours are curtailed. After-hours and weekend coverage is provided, when needed, through the Mountain Area Family Health Center, with which Health Services is affiliated, though expenses incurred are not covered by the basic fee. The same is true if care is desired when school is not in session. Hospitalization through our physician and his associates is also available when the need arises. Local referrals can be arranged for special problems. A University-sponsored health insurance plan at a very reasonable rate is available to all students. Health Services is an active member of the American College Health Association and maintains the highest standards of care.
North Carolina General Statute, Chapter 130A, Article 6, Part 2, establishes specific immunization requirements for all students enrolled in colleges or universities. University Health Services monitors student compliance with this immunization law. Students must submit the health form with immunization data signed by a physician in order for Health Services to review individual student compliance with the legal and UNCA requirements. Students should make every effort to submit verification of their compliance prior to enrollment at UNCA. State law allows a 30-day grace period for students to establish compliance. If, at the end of that time, students are not in compliance they are subject to dismissal from UNCA. Under certain conditions, students may be reinstated within one week; however, reinstatement in individual classes will be subject to instructor approval, and financial aid awards may not be reinstated.
The Department of Public Safety exists to protect life and property, maintain a successful parking and traffic system, prevent crime and be of general service to the University community. The Department of Public Safety serves the campus community by providing responsible law enforcement functions in a professional manner. All officers are sworn and are certified under North Carolina General Statues 11640.5. Each officer has met or exceeded the requirements established by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.
UNCA complies with laws designed to protect the rights of disabled persons, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. UNCA focuses on the student as an individual and works toward equal opportunity, full integration into the campus environment, physical accessibility and the provision of reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aids and services to students. Students who need individual assistance for academic services should call the Assistant Director of Student Development at 828/251-6672. The Assistant Director ensures that the programs and facilities of the University are generally accessible to all students. Services are designed and developed based on individual needs, and students may use any and all of the services appropriate to their needs at no charge.
A visit to the campus before acceptance or matriculation is recommended. The applicant may wish to meet with the Assistant Director of Student Development to discuss special concerns. For individual assistance or to make arrangements for a visit, call 828/251-6672.
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All students are governed by federal, state and local laws in addition to University rules and regulations. By authority of the Code provisions governing The University of North Carolina and the Chancellor, it is the duty of the University Judicial System to have jurisdiction over matters pertaining to students in situations where: (1) infractions of University rules and regulations are possibly serious enough to lead to probation, suspension or expulsion; (2) infractions of University rules and regulations result in damages to property and there is a dispute as to guilt. Procedures of the University Judicial System will afford students an opportunity for due process in these situations. Specific University rules and regulations may be found in the University of North Carolina at Asheville's Student Handbook, which is published annually.
All vehicles parked on campus must be registered with the Department of Public Safety and are subject to current parking and traffic regulations.
The University of North Carolina has long honored the right of free discussion and expression, peaceful picketing and demonstrations, the right to petition and to assemble peaceably. That these rights are a part of the fabric of this institution is not questioned. They must remain secure. It is equally clear, however, that in a community of learning, willful disruption of the educational process, destruction of property, and interference with the rights of other members of the community cannot be tolerated. Accordingly, it shall be the policy of the University to deal with any such disruption, destruction or interference promptly and effectively, but also fairly and impartially, without regard to race, religion, sex or political beliefs.
Sexual harassment is illegal. It is against University policy and will lead to disciplinary action. If you have experienced or witnessed what you believe to be sexual harassment, or if you have questions, see your advisor, a member of the Counseling Center staff or the Affirmative Action Officer.
The University will establish no policy or regulation that sanctions either the use of alcoholic beverages or any action which contravenes state or federal law regarding their purchase or consumption. North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Laws make it unlawful for anyone under 21 years of age to purchase or possess or consume alcohol, or for anyone to aid such a minor in purchasing, possessing or consuming alcoholic beverages.
All members of the University community are responsible for obeying state laws indicated above and state laws pertaining to the transportation of alcohol and the consumption of alcohol in public places (General Statutes 1851). Students are further expected to follow the University's Alcoholic Beverage Policy as stated in the Student Handbook.
The University discourages the drinking of alcoholic beverages, drunkenness and other abuses of alcoholic beverages by any person. Being under the influence of alcohol is considered a serious breach of conduct, and students who violate these standards are subject to appropriate disciplinary action as outlined in the Student Handbook.
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The University of North Carolina at Asheville is an academic community dedicated to the transmission and advancement of knowledge and understanding. The Board of Trustees is committed to the maintenance and protection of an environment in which students and faculty members may responsibly pursue these goals through teaching, learning, research, discussion and publication, free from internal or external restraints that would unreasonably restrict their academic endeavors. Moreover, it is the obligation of all members of the University communityfaculty, students, administrators and other employeesto help maintain an environment where academic freedom flourishes and in which the rights of each member of the academic community are respected. The illegal use of and trafficking in drugs can jeopardize the welfare of members of this academic community. Accordingly, in an effort to responsibly address such threats to the integrity of the academic environment, the Board of Trustees adopts this policy.
When a student, faculty member, administrator or other employee has been charged by the University with a violation of policies concerning illegal drugs, he or she may be suspended from enrollment or employment before initiation or completion of regular disciplinary proceedings if, assuming the truth of the charges, the Chancellor or, in the Chancellor's absence, the Chancellor's designee concludes that the person's continued presence within the University community would constitute a clear and immediate danger to the health or welfare of other members of the University community, provided that if such a suspension is imposed, an appropriate hearing of the charges against the suspended person shall be held as promptly as possible thereafter.
Annually, the Chancellor shall submit to the Board of Trustees a report on campus activities related to illegal drugs for the preceding year. The reports shall include, as a minimum, the following: (1) a listing of the major educational activities conducted during the year; (2) a report on any illegal drug-related incidents, including any sanctions imposed; (3) an assessment by the Chancellor of the effectiveness of the campus program and; (4) any proposed changes in the policy on illegal drugs. A copy of the report shall be provided to the President of The University of North Carolina system.
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