Parents Council Group, May 10, 2011
Minutes from the Parents Council Group, Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Parents of current and former UNC Asheville students:
- Elaine Kennedy
- Gary King
- King Prather
UNC Asheville listeners:
- Bill Haggard, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
1. Participants voiced their support for the goal of having 50% of total full-time students living on campus. The question was asked if it is likely the goal can be met. Using data from the 2009 housing market study conducted by Brailsford and Dunlavey and his own research, Mr. Haggard answered that he believes sufficient student demand exists to meet the goal.
2. The parents group also stated their support for the enrollment goal of 3,500 full-time students in 2017, citing the University’s mission as North Carolina’s liberal arts university as the main reason.
3. To improve the student experience while at UNC Asheville, parents urged campus leadership to consider a free shuttle service from campus to the downtown area, more gathering places for students (both indoors and outdoors), and more facilities for intramurals and recreation.
4. The group also voiced support for the continued existence of the Botanical Gardens, citing it as a good example of the University’s outreach to the community.
5. The parents group suggested the University acquire property contiguous to the campus when it becomes available to provide a buffer for the campus in the short-term and for long-range growth.
6. The group acknowledged that UNC Asheville has eclectic architecture and they supported the establishment of design guidelines and architectural standards to “tie the campus’s buildings together”. They agreed “the quad” is an important part of the campus experience and its impact should be accentuated.
7. The group also believes that despite concerns expressed by some about the physical and aesthetic limitations of the UNC Asheville campus, their students all saw past that, and realized that UNC Asheville was “the place” for their higher education experience. The parents also shared that the first impression of the physical campus is not good, and that they (the parents) also got past that. In their conversations with other parents to whom they have recommended UNC Asheville, they believe some did not get past the negative first impression.
8. There was some support for an amphitheatre on campus to serve both the Asheville community and performances by UNC Asheville students.
9. The parents group collectively believes that the UNC Asheville community would benefit from an easily identifiable campus entranceway, as well as wayfinding (directional) improvements for vehicular traffic. They added that the campus should strive to be more “pedestrian friendly” once folks get out of the cars and onto campus.
10. The group felt that UNC Asheville should reach out to retirees in the community, possibly being involved as volunteers on campus. They also acknowledged the importance of community members as potential donors of private funding to the campus.