July 23, 2009

University Planning Council

Minutes for July 23, 2009

Present: Buffy Bagwell, Becky Doyle, Jane Fernandes, Archer Gravely, Bill Haas, Bill Haggard, Jeff Konz, Jim Kuhlman, Keya Maitra, Ted Meigs, Cortland Mercer, Patrice Mitchell, Kevin Moorhead, Linda Nelms, Adrienne Oliver, Dan Pierce, Anne Ponder, Christine Riley

Absent: Vic Foster, Amy Lanou, Bill Massey, John Pierce, Louise Thompson

UPC met on July 23 from 4:00 to 5:30 in HU 221.

1. Ms. Nelms convened the first UPC meeting of the 2009-10 year. Chancellor Ponder reported that the UNC Asheville Board of Trustees, after an extensive discussion of the draft mission statement, expressed some concerns and made some changes to the document prepared by the campus. The one significant change made by the BOT was to remove “small by choice” from the mission statement. Chancellor Ponder indicated that she will involve the BOT more into campus discussions to help them better understand the true substance of a UNC Asheville education. The new mission statement will be considered for approval by the UNC Board of Governors in the fall. UPC accepted the latest version of the mission statement as amended by the BOT.

2. In a budget update, Chancellor Ponder reported that, due to the good budget stewardship of everyone on campus, we did not need to eliminate any jobs with people in them in 2008-09, but this is no longer possible in 2009-10. The Resource Allocation Strategy developed last year has been very helpful in responding to a request by UNC GA to develop a plan for a 10 percent budget cut. We have eliminated a total of 43 staff positions, 26 of which are unfilled. Among the remaining 17 filled positions, 9 staff members have been transferred internally and 8 individuals have been laid off. The NC Arboretum, which is part of our budget, has taken a 10% cut that is separate from UNC Asheville. The NC Legislature has completed a revenue package which includes $1B in new taxes to soften the level of statewide cuts. State revenue received in June was $500M short of the projected amount. Tuition revenue is still under discussion and EARN Scholarships are not included in the current budget. The loss of the EARN scholarships could impact a quarter of our new instate students. We expect the state budget to be completed by the end of July. The cuts will come with instructions to not cut across the board and Chancellor Ponder outlined the possibility that UNC Asheville may have a smaller cut than other campuses. She also indicated that if we have to cut the entire 10%, then we will have to do more cost reduction analyses. If more cuts are needed we will make decisions sooner to resolve uncertainty. Additionally, she noted that the sooner in the fiscal year cuts are made, the less we will have to cut overall. The 2008-09 Flexible Furlough, implemented at the end of the last fiscal year, is an example of the drastic consequences of implementing budget cuts late in the year. She also noted that the required conversion of our payroll process from the Office of State Personnel’s Central Payroll in Raleigh to a campus-based payroll in January could conflict with any reductions in force that may have to be made late in the Fall semester.

3. Ms. Nelms led a discussion of a list of 23 ideas for cost reduction submitted by the campus to Mr. Pierce. A suggestion was made for the appropriate Vice Chancellor to take the lead on reviewing these ideas in a future UPC meeting. Ms. Nelms asked UPC members to send thoughts about these potential cost-saving ideas to Dr. Gravely. UPC will discuss these ideas further at the next meeting.

UNC ASHEVILLE MISSION STATEMENT

Approved by Faculty Senate – May 5, 2009

Revised and Approved by Board of Trustees -- June 19, 2009

Accepted by University Planning Council – July 23, 2009

VISION

UNC Asheville students, within a diverse and inclusive community, experience liberal arts education at its best.

MISSION

UNC Asheville is distinctive in the UNC system as its designated liberal arts university. Our practice of the liberal arts emphasizes the centrality of learning and discovery through exemplary teaching, innovative scholarship, creative expression, co-curricular activities, undergraduate research, engaged service, and practical experience. Primarily undergraduate, UNC Asheville offers a liberal arts education characterized by high quality faculty-student interaction. We offer this challenging educational experience to all promising students who are committed to liberal learning and personal growth.

Our liberal arts educational approach emphasizes life skills including critical thinking, clear and thoughtful expression, and honest open inquiry. Students undertake concentrated study in one area while simultaneously developing an understanding of the connections among disciplines. We encourage students to clarify, develop and live their own values while respecting the views and beliefs of others. In addition, we cultivate an understanding of the dimensions of human diversity while recognizing the common humanity of all. We believe a quality liberal arts education enables our graduates to be lifelong learners and to lead successful, flourishing lives as leaders and contributors to their communities.

At UNC Asheville, we respond to the conditions and concerns of the contemporary world both as individuals and as a university. We incorporate economic, social and environmental sustainability into our institutional practices and curriculum. With a range of associated centers, partnerships, and initiatives, we fulfill our public responsibility to address the needs of our community through a continuum of learning. We develop a commitment to continuing service characterized by an informed, responsible, and creative engagement with the Asheville area, the southern Appalachian region, the state of North Carolina, and a diverse and increasingly connected world.