October 28, 2010
University Planning Council
Minutes for October 28, 2010
Present: Buffy Bagwell, Jane Fernandes, Eric Gant, Archer Gravely, Bill Haggard, Julie Heinitsh, Jim Kuhlman, Erica Abrams Locklear, Ted Meigs, Chris Miller, Patrice Mitchell, Kevin Moorhead, Gary Nallan, Linda Nelms, Dave Peifer, John Pierce, Anne Ponder, Christine Riley, Lorena Russell
Absent: Vic Foster, Courtney Galatioto, Gabriela Lemus
Guests: Rachel Whaley, Cathy Hanby-Sikora
UPC met on October 28 from 3:30 to 5:04 in HU 221.
1. In her preliminary remarks, Chancellor Ponder reported that the new UNC system President, Tom Ross’s starting date has been moved up to December 10th. Additional UNC-GA staff changes include the retirements of Dr. Alan Mabe, VP for Academic Affairs and Mr. Ernie Murphy, VP for Finance. Chancellor Ponder reported that UNC Asheville was noted for its best practice in how we recognize staff achievement and consult with staff on a variety of issues by the statewide UNC Staff Assembly. She also noted that the NC Arboretum has been part of our budget for the last twenty-five years but plans are underway to have it report directly to UNC-GA next year. This administrative change will require legislative action to implement and will have no impact on our budget. Ms. Riley announced that UNC Asheville has won first place awards in three categories from the Public Relations Association of Western North Carolina. The three awards are for our new web site, an article by Ms. Jill Yarnall on Dr.Pierce’s book on NASCAR, and our admissions and recruiting publication campaign.
2. In a budget update, Chancellor Ponder voiced concern over the level of anxiety within the UNC Asheville community, especially among the least powerful. Recently, Provost Fernandes met with Academic Affairs and Mr. Pierce with Facilities Management staff to discuss the budget situation for 2011-12, which we are planning for now. Other senior staff members are meeting with departments in their areas as well. Chancellor Ponder noted that budget and personnel decisions will be made within Vice Chancellor areas. She is working closely with CSAC to solicit questions from the campus in preparation for a budget forum before Thanksgiving break. She stated that this year’s budget has not changed and we are not likely to have a mid-year cut. Additionally, there has been no discussion of furloughs at this point. Dr. Miegs reported that housekeepers in ZH have a fatalistic attitude and low morale fearing that the ax will fall at any time. Mr. Miller confirmed that housekeepers are struggling and are very afraid. Chancellor Ponder stated that we can help by reassuring the community that no outsourcing decisions have been made. Mr. Pierce stated that we have peer facility cost data and our housekeeping costs per square foot are higher than the UNC average. He indicated that the planned budget cuts may be hard to do without outsourcing but no decisions have been made. Mr. Pierce also stated that the legislature was now talking about budget cuts of at least 10 percent for UNC with a lot of uncertainty about tuition revenue and enrollment growth funding. Chancellor Ponder stated that it’s important to acknowledge the unknowns as it is likely to be next year at this time before we have a definitive budget. Provost Fernandes reported that the combination of a 10% cut and no tuition revenue would result in a $1M cut in Academic Affairs that would cause the loss of 80% of our adjuncts and all one-year lecturers. At that level, we would not be able to teach electives, special topics, or deliver all needed required courses. Chancellor Ponder noted that the budget cut plan we submit will allow us to demonstrate the significant harm that would occur as a result of these cuts. A number of UPC members noted the harm to our community that would be caused by outsourcing.
2. UPC discussed the University Strategy for 2011-13 Resource Allocation document and made a number of substantive and editorial suggestions. Additional suggestions should be sent to Ms. Riley. UPC will do a final review in November in preparation for a vote of approval.
3. Ms. Cathy Hanby-Sikora led a discussion of fund raising priorities. She suggested that to raise money in bad economic times, it’s important to focus on best practices and make our priorities reflect basic needs. Ms. Hanby-Sikora suggested the following priorities: (1) matching gifts; (2) growing the annual fund through flexible dollars; (3) scholarships; (4) faculty support; and (5) programmatic support. Dr. Russell expressed a concern that was shared by other UPC faculty members about raising money for endowed professorships and a preference for professorships that could be rotated among existing faculty.