July 20, 2010

University Planning Council

Minutes for July 20, 2010

Present: Buffy Bagwell, Chris Miller, Eric Gant, Archer Gravely, Julie Heinitsh, Jim Kuhlman, Ted Meigs, Cortland Mercer, Dan Pierce, John Pierce, Anne Ponder, Christine Riley, Lorena Russell

Absent: Jane Fernandes, Vic Foster, Courtney Galatioto, Bill Haggard, Amy Lanou, Keya Maitra, Patrice Mitchell, Kevin Moorhead, Gary Nallan, Linda Nelms, Louise Thompson

UPC met from 4 pm to 4:45 in HU 221.

Chancellor Ponder convened a special UPC meeting to provide an update on the emerging budget process. She stated that we need a recommendation on how conservative we should be in preparation for next year’s budget, which will be worse by all accounts.

In recognition of our small campus and special mission, the size of the budget cut this year, 3.1%, fell in our favor, as it is $250,000 less than would have been required in an across–the–board percentage reduction. In addition approving the Board of Governors tuition increase, the legislature authorized President Bowles to implement a supplemental tuition increase of up to $750 per year. Each campus is only allowed to raise enough supplemental tuition to cover the campus budget cut. UNC-GA gave us permission to schedule the $461 tuition increase over two years. After consulting with last year’s tuition committee and UPC, we have set the supplemental tuition increase for our full-time in-state undergraduate students at $82 (less than 10 percent) this year and $379 in 2011-12. The tuition increase represents a good balance between meeting the urgency of this year and anticipating the additional needs for 2011-12.

Chancellor Ponder reported on some additional positive and negative budget items. The non-resident tuition scholarship program, which primarily benefited student athletes, has been eliminated. This means we will have to fund $488,000 in scholarships in other ways, as we intend to honor our commitment to these students. On the positive side, the distinguished professorship matching fund was included in the budget and we are ahead of all campuses except UNC-CH and NCSU in raising the matching funds for these positions. Additionally, the operating resources for new facilities have been preserved so we will be able to open the new Health and Wellness Center as planned. She noted further that equipment and repair and renovation funds have been allocated but the details are not known at this time. Lastly, Chancellor Ponder noted that we have already received instructions for a 1 percent holdback this year.

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