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April 18, 2011, Board of Trustees

Draft Board of Trustee Meeting Minutes (Campus Master Plan Section Only)

April 18, 2011

The University of North Carolina at Asheville Board of Trustees met on Monday, April 18, 2011, in the Red Oak Room, Ramsey Library on the UNC Asheville Campus.

The following members of the Board of Trustees were present for the entire meeting: Nathan Ramsey, Vice Chair, Presiding Officer, Sue McClinton, David Cogburn, Cissie Stevens, Bruce Peterson, Audrey Byrd Mosley, Pat Smith, Pam Turner and Courtney Galatioto.

Members present for part of the meeting (committee meetings) via phone: Phil Carson, Doug Orr, Virgil Smith.

Trustee absent: Joe Damore

Others in attendance for some or all of the meeting included: Anne Ponder, Chancellor; Elizabeth Becker, Administrative Assistant and Notary Public; Skip Capone, General Counsel; Janet Cone, Senior Administrator for University Enterprises and Director of Athletics; Jane Fernandes, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs; Andrea Fiedler; Administrative Assistant, NCCHW; David Gardner, Director, North Carolina Center for Health and Wellness; Debbie Griffith, Director of Communication and Marketing; Bill Haggard, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs; Chris Miller; Chair, Chancellor’s Staff Advisory Council; Merianne Miller, Director of News Services; Rob Nelson, consultant on Campus Master Plan; John Pierce, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations; Rebecca Reeve, Director, Research Programs, NCCHW; Christine Riley, Chief of Staff; Mike Sena, Chair of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Steering Council, Lynn Spaight, Assistant Secretary to the Board, Laurie Stradley, Director of State and Community Collaborations, NCCHW.

Vice Chair Ramsey recognized Rob Nelson for a presentation and discussion on the Campus Master Plan.

Rob Nelson reported that he had been meeting with various constituent groups on campus to gather information on what issues should be addressed and how best to meet the needs of the campus for the next 5-10 years. He showed trustees the Campus Master Plan Web Site at http://www.unca.edu/about/strategic-plan/campus-master-plan. Information about the Steering Committee, the Working Group, the constituent meeting minutes, background information and, eventually, the guiding principles and next steps are published on this site for anyone to access. It also provides a form for people to submit comments and questions.

Mr. Nelson then led trustees in a discussion of what they saw as the greatest needs, the most important aspects/facilities to be kept, what is most confusing or difficult and what is one thing they would like to change. Responses:

  • The Quad is the heart of the campus and needs to stay; current number of building surrounding the Quad is adequate – don’t try to squeeze more in.
  • Better connecting between the Quad and other parts of the campus. Should Ramsey Library be a throughway to the upper quad?
  • Consider the impact of technology on renovation and construction – be as forward thinking as possible in thinking about how to equip buildings effectively.
  • The arts need more focus: Belk Theatre is not adequate, Owen Hall is not adequate, crafts facilities are not adequate, need better performing arts space.
  • Need more student residence facilities. Think outside the box in looking at residence design and needs of students in future. Examples: shared houses, apartments, lofts.
  • The student services (One Stop) office needs to be in a location that is more accessible to students.
  • The Y exchange at the corner of University Heights and Edgewood near Zeis Hall causes accidents. Consider a traffic circle instead.
  • Parking and traffic issues need to be resolved.
  • Signage has been improved but needs to be even better, more available; better way-finding.
  • Improvements to walkways – not crumbling cement sidewalks and stairs.
  • Look at the (old) proposed re-design of the front of Ramsey Library – ramps, better stairs, better appearance
  • The plantings are great and should be kept
  • Safety and emergency management needs should be met
  • Better lighting and more cohesive lighting plan
  • Provide gathering areas inside and out – benches, tables and chairs in lobbies, etc.
  • Preserve some open spaces such as the North property near Reuter Center and South property near Pisgah House.
  • More student recreation areas, athletics fields, tennis courts on campus.
  • Give students a reason to stay on campus – activities, recreation, community
  • The campus is tucked away/not visible to the rest of the city – especially from Merrimon Drive but also from Broadway; needs visible entrances.
  • Greater connectivity between the campus and downtown Asheville, especially along Broadway.
  • Sherrill Center will be a new engagement site for the public
  • Determine options and best uses for Rhoades property at corner of Merrimon and WT Weaver. Consider its visibility and potential for that campus entrance.
  • Find a way to connect to the French Broad River and find ways campus community can have walking access to river facilities.
  • Important to welcome the community and provide opportunities for members of the public to feel that this is “their” university. The tailgate market is one collaboration, perhaps there could be other uses, like a festival.
  • Plan for potential acquisition of surrounding properties as they become available and meet campus needs.
  • Consider the Kellogg Center – possible uses, value, etc.

After the presentation, Mr. Nelson said that the campus discussions will be completed in the next month, there will be a joint meeting of the steering committee and working group and they will come back to the Board of Trustees at their July meeting to review the work and consider next steps. The goal would be to have a set of guiding principles that would provide a basis for campus planning decisions going forward.

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