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May 10, 2012

University Planning Council

Minutes for May 10, 2012

Present:    Buffy Bagwell, Barkley Barton, Jeff Brown, Jessica Dunsmore, Jane Fernandes, Catherine Frank, Eric Gant, Archer Gravely, Bill Haggard, Julie Heinitsh, Ben Judge, Erica Abrams Locklear, Ann Martin, Ted Meigs, Patrice Mitchell, Kevin Moorhead, Dave Peifer, John Pierce, Anne Ponder, Christine Riley, Robert Straub

Absent:    Keller Berry, Melissa Burchard, Katja Greeson, Gregg Kormanik

UPC met from 3:30 to 4:45 in Highsmith Union 223.

1.     Chancellor Ponder convened the meeting and welcomed new members.  Participants were asked to introduce themselves and their role on campus. In her campus update, Chancellor Ponder listed the following construction projects:

  • Highsmith Union area street pavement and raising the sidewalks for greater pedestrian safety
  •  Rhodes Hall exterior is completed and the interior should be finished in late June
  • Carmichael Hall roof replacement
  • Lipinsky Hall concrete supports
  • Karpen Hall repair of basement exterior and ground issues on the quad side

Chancellor Ponder stated that the Governor’s budget has a focus on K-12 education but is likely to carry less weight since she is not running for re-election. We should have a budget by June 30 and any significant changes will have to wait until the long session.  Our highest priority is a special appropriation for UNC Asheville, UNC School of Science and Math and UNC School of the Arts, the special mission UNC campuses.  She noted further that this request is not in the Governor’s Budget.

2.     On social sustainability, Chancellor Ponder reported that that end-of-the year Pie Party at the Pisgah House was a success and that commencement went as well as possible under the circumstances.  Dr. Frazier is taking input on how to improve commencement.  Chancellor Ponder recognized and thanked departing UPC members.

3.     UPC discussed the Campus Master Plan Update provided by Mr. Nelson.  A question was asked about UPC involvement in developing priorities for campus repair and renovation projects.  Chancellor Ponder stated that in the past these projects were driven by Facilities Management staff and the urgent items always consumed more money than was available.  She indicated that the Master Plan design process will establish connections to the Strategic Plan and future capital appropriations will be part of strategic planning.  It was noted we now have the opportunity to blend way-finding and signage issues with the marketing and branding template.  The following items were listed as perennial problems with no apparent solution:

  • Campus traffic patterns are such that visitors to campus usually approach buildings from the rear – usually their least attractive side, with insufficient signage to direct people Belk, Lipinsky, University Hall, etc)
  • Vehicle traffic and parked cars limit and sometimes endanger the pedestrian experience
  • “Bermuda Triangle” intersection at the top of University Heights – needs signage to help visitors know where to go 

Suggestions included:

  • We could be a more bike-friendly campus if we provided covered racks and lockers for bike commuters would reduce car traffic and enhance sustainability. 
  • Several complaints were noted about the use of the gazebo, located between the Library and Zeis Hall, as a designated smoking area. Dr. Haggard reported that the gazebo is the only covered smoking area on campus and it did not seem appropriate to build a special facility for smokers given the recent budget cuts.  He also indicated receiving a number of complaints about the gazebo smoking area and that the smoking policy is scheduled for review next year. 
  • Signage at the bottom of the exit from I-26 North on Broadway.
  • Information about “Lot 5” or “Lot 11” doesn’t help when lots are not marked – even people who come here every day don’t know if they are allowed to park in some areas.

Dr. Moorhead gave an update on the 525 Broadway property (former Health Adventure site).  Chancellor Ponder reported that Riverlink has donated $25K to support the wetland area cleanup and develop a greenway alongside the creek. A question was raised about whether it would make it harder to build something there once the greenway is built. A suggestion was made that we post signage there, designating it as UNC Asheville property, and “Future home of …” when we have decided.

In response to Chancellor Ponder’s request for advice on the use of this property, UPC suggestions included:

  • New Admissions building
  • Alumni house/Development/welcome center
  • Whatever it is, it should be non-academic, maintaining the practice of having academic buildings around the quad.
  • Student apartments
  • Conference center/ ampitheater

Dr. Moorhead asked UPC to send additional suggestions to Dr. Meigs, the new IDC Chair for 2012-13. Dr. Haggard reported that the new residence hall under construction will increase our on-campus population to 43% which keeps pace with the strategic plan benchmark target for 2012-13.

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