Update from the Chancellor
October 1, 2008I want to thank you for your cooperation this past week as Western
North Carolina faced an unprecedented gasoline shortage. Our
flexibility and, at times, our patience have been tested. I am proud
that together we are meeting our commitment to providing
uninterrupted services to our students.
Yesterday, area leaders in government, business
and education met to discuss the gasoline shortage and its effects
on the community. We learned that all sectors of our city and county
are committed to conducting business as usual as the gasoline
shortage continues to slowly improve.
I urge you to continue to take advantage of
alternative transportation as outlined below. In addition, if you
wish to consider carpooling, please visit the new University Ride
Board at
www.unca.edu/rideboard.
We will continue to monitor the gasoline
situation closely. In the event the shortage worsens, we will
revisit our campus response and communicate that to you.
Chancellor Anne Ponder |
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Advisory to out-of-town visitors, including Admissions Open
House participants:
While we are eager to welcome you to the UNC Asheville campus,
please be advised that Asheville is currently experiencing a severe
gasoline shortage. The duration of the shortage cannot be accurately
predicted. Many
counties surrounding Asheville are also experiencing the same
shortage.
If you would like to reschedule an Admissions or Open House visit to
UNC Asheville, please contact the Admissions Office at
admissions@unca.edu,
828/251-6481 or 800-531-9842.
To Our Students:
If none of the suggestions below for alternative transportation
works for you, be sure to communicate your situation directly to
your professors, campus employers, coaches and others to find a
mutually agreeable solution to your situation. Faculty are
experiencing the same challenges that you are, and they are always
willing to work with students who are conscientious about their
class work. In some ways, this is not unlike instances that occur in
the winter with our unpredictable weather - some people can make it
to campus easily, while others are not able to travel at all. Your
professors are familiar with the need to accommodate students in
these instances, but you need to contact them directly to make
specific arrangements.
It is your responsibility to check your UNC Asheville e-mail
regularly during the gasoline shortage in the event a professor,
advisor, coach or employer needs to communicate with you.
To Our Faculty:
If you are unable to meet your scheduled classes or office hours,
please assume the proactive responsibility of notifying your
students and sharing with them your expectations for work to be
completed before your class meets again. Similarly, if any of your
students are unable to make it to class due to the gas shortage,
please work with them, as you would in any other unusual time, to
help keep them up with class assignments.
To Our Staff Members:
If you can't get sufficient gasoline for your car, and if none of
the suggestions below for alternative transportation works for you,
please meet with your supervisor, who is authorized to make
reasonable accommodation to your situation.
In addition, Human Resources has initiated a pilot
program of Flexible Scheduling Options for EPA Non-Faculty and
SPA staff employees. Those wishing to take advantage of this program
should discuss their ideas in detail with their direct supervisor.
Human Resources is available to provide guidance to any employee
or supervisor wishing to explore this option. For more information,
go to
www.unca.edu/policies/Flex%20Scheduling_2008.pdf or contact
Human Resources.
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Alternative Transportation Options
To make possible our normal operation during the gasoline shortage,
consider one or more of the following ideas:
1. Take the bus.
Faculty, staff and students may ride ALL Asheville City Transit
Routes for FREE with your OneCard through the PASSport program. All
you need is a 2008-09 PASSport sticker for your OneCard, which you
can pick up at Campus Police, Vance Hall.
For more information, go to:
www.ashevillenc.gov/residents/transportation/city_bus/default.aspx?id=1028
2. Ride a bicycle.
The University Bike Shop
has a fleet of 20 town bikes that can be rented for free, up to a
week at a time. Free helmets and bike locks are provided. The Bike
Shop also provides free tune-ups and maintenance for all faculty, staff and
student bike riders. All Asheville Transit buses have the facilities
to carry up to two bikes, allowing you to extend your commuting
range. The Bike Shop is open from noon to 4 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays
and noon to 3 p.m. Fridays. For more information, call 828/232-5178
or go to:
www.unca.edu/recreation/od_cycleShop.asp
3. Use the University shuttle.
The free campus shuttle service may be used by students, staff,
faculty and campus visitors from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays
thorough Fridays when classes are in session. The route includes
numerous stops on campus as well as free transportation between UNC
Asheville and several local apartment complexes. Those commuting to
campus on city buses and those who live near the University may find
it advantageous to use one of the shuttle stops at the apartment
complexes. For more information, go to:
www.unca.edu/news/releases/2008/ShuttleScheduleFall08.pdf4. Carpool with colleagues.
Faculty and staff can arrange carpools through the Share the Ride NC
Web site. This free rideshare matching service allows users to
quickly and securely find others interested in carpooling and who
share similar commutes and work hours. For more information, go to:
www.sharetheridenc.com/
5. Join the Ride Board.
Students, faculty and staff with active UNC Asheville email
accounts can register for the University's new online Ride Board.
This free service allows users to quickly and securely find others
interested in carpooling for long distance trips or regular
commutes. For more information, go to:
www.unca.edu/rideboard/ |
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Updated at 3:30 p.m. Friday, October 3, 2008
Updated at 12:04 p.m. Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Updated at 1:35 p.m. Monday, September 29, 2008
Updated at 2:54 p.m. Friday, September 26, 2008
Updated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 25, 2008
Posted at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 24, 2008
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