By 2030, we want UNC Asheville to have a sustainable enrollment of 3,800 to 4,000 students drawn to and supported by our commitment to the vision of an innovative public liberal arts and sciences university of the future known for its student-centered focus, hands-on learning, technology-driven solutions, and career-ready emphasis.
Read the Chancellor’s Op-Ed. on Recent Program Changes
Academic Portfolio Review
Similar to other colleges and universities across the nation, UNC Asheville is facing financial challenges. During the first several months of 2024, the University took immediate steps to address a structural deficit forecast at approximately $6 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. Efforts are ongoing to minimize and resolve an additional deficit in the University general fund in fiscal year 2025.
The deficits stem from several factors, including an enrollment decline of about 25 percent — more than 900 students in all — over the past five years.
Enrollment challenges are not unique to UNC Asheville. They can be observed nationwide due to reductions in the population of traditional college-aged students and a perceived decline in the financial value of a college education. I believe factors specific to UNC Asheville have also contributed to its decline in enrollment. Key among these institution-specific factors is a reluctance to scrutinize and evolve our academic offerings in line with student demand and relevance to 21st-century society.
To the UNC Asheville Campus Community,
As we approach the summer months, the University is beginning what’s known as an academic portfolio review, or APR. This assessment of our academic offerings will help us allocate resources—and support students—as effectively and efficiently as we can. It marks the University’s latest step to address short-term financial pressures while we undertake longer-term planning together.
A widely accepted practice in higher education, the APR is a key mechanism to make sure we offer the right mix of degrees to meet the needs of our students and communities, sharpen our focus, and keep the University competitive and fiscally responsible.
We want to hear from you
Asheville 2030 Survey
Help us imagine what this vibrant and innovative campus looks like by sharing your creative ideas for our future by participating in the Asheville 2030 survey.
UNC Asheville Cost-related Suggestions
Please share your suggestions for cost cutting, cost savings, budget relief, and revenue generation.
Budget Deficit
Part of this forward-looking effort involves addressing a current budget deficit created by enrollment declines over the past five years that have negatively impacted our financial position.
Setting the Record Straight: UNC Asheville’s 2024 budget deficit and next steps
The immediate issue, short and longer-term actions, and answers to key questions
A PowerPoint presentation prepared by our Budget and Finance Office also offers helpful information:
For more information, please review messages shared with the campus community by Chancellor Kimberly van Noort.
Because Dr. van Noort is committed to clarity and transparency about the budget efforts, this page will be updated frequently as new Chancellor Updates become available.
Dear UNC Asheville Students, Faculty, and Staff,
As we put the final touches on the end of an arduous and still successful Fall 2024 semester, I am sharing several updates that are evidence of the ways we have moved beyond the immediate effects of Helene on UNC Asheville and are indicative of the tremendous effort and resilience you have all shown in the face of immense challenges.
As of today, UNC Asheville is no longer operating under Condition 1, meaning we are now operating as normal. This does not mean that there are not still some residual effects of the storm we must overcome, but we have reached a point where we can address the remaining challenges while still going about our work normally…
Dear UNC Asheville Students, Faculty, and Staff,
As we head toward the close of the Fall 2024 semester, I want to take a moment to celebrate our successes and share some exciting opportunities coming up.
McCullough Fellows
Yesterday, this year’s five McCullough Fellows presented their final research, a culmination of a partnership between them, a local organization, and a UNC Asheville faculty advisor to address issues of environmental sustainability. From studying the DNA of elk herds to better inform the conservation of this species, to creating a virtual reality experience warning of the dangers of unsustainable practices, the program allows undergraduate students to spend the summer deeply engaged in applied research with their community partners. Kudos to all of the students on their impressive work…
Dear UNC Asheville Students, Faculty, and Staff,
As we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, I wanted to share some updates and good news with you.
Robinson Hall Safe and Open
Following extensive work by First Onsite over the last several weeks, the mold remediation work in Robinson Hall has been completed, and the building is now open. Additional air quality testing in Robinson Hall, Rhoades Hall, and Rhoades Tower was conducted after the remediation work was completed, with the results indicating that the building is safe for occupancy. I appreciate all of those involved in this work to ensure the building is safe, and I am thankful for those who patiently waited for it to be completed.
Emergency Grants for Students
With thanks to support from the NC General Assembly, UNC Asheville is offering emergency grants of up to $2,500 for students who experienced financial hardship as a result of Helene. These funds may be used to offset any expenses that support students’ continued enrollment, including costs related to tuition, fees, textbooks, living expenses, and transportation…
Dear UNC Asheville Students, Faculty, and Staff,
I am pleased to provide several important updates that highlight recent progress and upcoming events at UNC Asheville.
First and foremost, I am so delighted to report that safe drinking water has been restored across our campus! This monumental step in the University’s recovery efforts would not be possible without the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and numerous campus staff who have devoted their time and energy for over a month to make this possible.
Personally, I view this tremendous endeavor as exactly the type of scientifically-informed, creative problem solving that UNC Asheville can and should pride itself on — in the classroom, in laboratories, across campus, and in our community. Many thanks also to Jeff Wilcox, professor of environmental science, for organizing tours and serving as an expert sounding board…
Dear Students,
UNC Asheville is pleased to announce that all UNC Asheville students are eligible to apply for the Hurricane Helene Emergency Grant Program for Postsecondary Students. This funding was provided to the UNC System from the North Carolina General Assembly to support students affected by Helene.
Please review all of the below information carefully and submit your grant application materials by the priority consideration deadline of Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. Applications submitted by this date will receive an email confirmation regarding the determination of their application by Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Applications received after the priority consideration deadline will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The final deadline for applications is Monday, December 2, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
If you have any questions, concerns, or need assistance filling out the application, reach out directly to the Dean of Students Office by phone at 828-251-6585, or by email at dos@unca.edu. You may also contact the Dean of Students Office to set up an in-person appointment in the Highsmith Student Union…
Dear UNC Asheville Students, Faculty, and Staff,
I am pleased to announce that our campus will move to Condition 1 beginning at 8 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, November 8. This decision comes as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is working to expand the capacity of the mobile water treatment facility on campus. Thanks to this important work, we now are confident in the ability to safely reopen campus buildings. However, please note that the certification of drinkable water is still pending, and everyone should continue using bottled water for drinking purposes…
Dear students, staff, and faculty,
I am pleased to report the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continues to progress in their effort to provide safe drinking water to campus, and we expect to announce the availability of potable water within the next few days.
With the imminent arrival of safe drinking water, it’s important that we all understand the limitations of that water and the need for us to come together as a community to wisely and responsibly use what we have to ensure we have enough each day.
What follows is a detailed description of the water treatment process, beginning with the intake of water from the City of Asheville to the water coming out of the sinks, water fountains, and toilets on campus. In addition, the included diagram and labeled picture illustrate the system and its complexities…
Dear UNC Asheville Students, Faculty, and Staff,
Today has been a very exciting day as students began returning to campus and their residence halls, and I am personally thrilled to welcome back the first of our Bulldogs. As announced last week, all of our residence halls are reopening this week!
Our student affairs staff has a wide variety of programming in store, and this morning, our Bulldogs Belong email series resumed with valuable information about what our students can expect upon their return. It is so good to see us returning to some sense of normalcy.
In addition to this exciting news, I’d also like to reiterate some important updates that were shared last week…
Dear UNC Asheville Students,
We hope this message finds you well. We understand the impact that Helene had on our community and the challenges faced during the month-long suspension of classes. Many of you have also experienced relocations due to closure of UNC Asheville residence halls. To support our students and address the disruption, the State of North Carolina and UNC Asheville is offering the following forms of financial assistance…
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
Our apologies, the dates in the previous message regarding residential hall return were incorrect. The correct dates are:
Wednesday, October 30
- Governors Hall
- South Ridge Hall
- The Woods
Thursday, October 31
- Founders Hall
- Ponder Hall
- The Village
Friday, November 1
- West Ridge Hall
- Mills Hall
Thank you for your understanding.
Dear students, faculty, and staff,
I am very pleased to announce the long-awaited plan to welcome our residential students back to campus!
Residential students will be able to move back into their residential halls following the below schedule
Wednesday, October 30
- Governors Hall
- South Ridge Hall
- The Woods
Thursday, October 31
- Founders Hall
- Ponder Hall
- The Village
Friday, November 1
- West Ridge Hall
- Mills Hall
We are almost there!
As our students and faculty prepare to resume classes on Monday, I must express my deepest appreciation for our faculty’s continued dedication and flexibility in this challenging time. The effort you have all put forth to adapt syllabi and curriculum for online instruction during this condensed semester has been truly remarkable. Our faculty’s commitment and resilience have made a tremendous impact on the education and well-being of our students, and for that, I am sincerely grateful.
Return of Employees to Campus
Earlier this week, I shared that our plan to establish limited potable water on campus would permit the gradual reopening of campus building. With the return of classes next week, I am pleased to announce that select campus buildings will be available for use by faculty and mandatory staff. Beginning Monday, October 28, the following campus building will be open with non-potable water available:
Good morning students, faculty and staff,
I have exciting news to share with you regarding the restoration of water to our campus. Today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will deliver heavy equipment and supplies to campus for construction of a mobile water treatment system over the coming days. We have been working tirelessly with them for two weeks to design and implement this plan, and I am pleased to put it into operation.
The system is designed to receive non-potable water delivered to our campus and treat it to provide limited amounts of potable water. With this system in place, the University expects to deliver enough potable water for the safe return of residential students. This capacity will be directed toward residential buildings, dining spaces, and other buildings critical to student success and campus life…
Dear students, staff, and faculty,
As we begin another week preparing campus for your eventual return, I am overjoyed to report that all students, staff, and faculty have been accounted for. There were many dedicated individuals involved in the effort to make contact with each and every one of you, and I am so thankful you are all safe.
I am also happy to report that things continue to improve here on campus and in our community. Last week, water finally began flowing through the campus water pipes and in most other city homes and businesses. While the water is currently very cloudy and nonpotable, we are working closely with city officials to monitor the situation. We are meticulously following a detailed, step-by-step plan to turn water back on to all campus buildings while ensuring it is done without causing harm to the pipes or water systems…
Dear staff, students, and faculty,
As UNC Asheville continues to recover from the impacts of Helene, we recognize that many of our students and employees have been personally impacted and need immediate financial assistance. To help assist with that effort, UNC Asheville has established a Hardship Recovery Grant program. Thank you to the hundreds of generous donors who gave to the Helene Disaster Relief Fund and made this grant program possible.
These hardship grants are intended to be used by students and employees to assist with immediate needs, including temporary shelter, food, clothing, medical expenses, emergency repairs, and other associated recovery costs…
Dear students, staff, and faculty,
We are almost three weeks out from the first rains associated with Helene making its way to WNC, and we are finally beginning to see small signs of normalcy. Power has been restored to all areas of campus, the many trees that fell during the storm are being removed, and, most of the time, internet connectivity is stable. We have made tremendous progress towards reopening, but we still have several barriers to overcome.
UPDATE ON CAMPUS STATUS
Today a Bulldog Alert message was sent to our campus community to announce that UNC Asheville is extending Condition 3 through Thursday, October 24…
Dear Campus Community,
We will be hosting a virtual State of the University briefing on Thursday, October 10, at 4:30 p.m. During this briefing, the Chancellor will provide an update on the University’s operations and ongoing recovery efforts. The Zoom connection information can be found at the end of this email.
Next week, we will be hosting virtual Town Halls for different University constituent groups. Additional invitations and Zoom connection information will be forthcoming…
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
As the UNC Asheville community continues to recover from the devastating effects of Helene, we are focused on the comfort and care of our entire campus community while also restoring campus to a sense of normality. Essential personnel continue to work tirelessly on campus to ensure the safety of our beautiful University, and with the city, county, and the System Office to button up the hundreds of details to keep us running as efficiently and effectively as possible.
We have been working diligently to make contact with all faculty, staff, and students. If you have not been in touch with anyone from the University, please reply to this email so we may ensure everyone is safe and accounted for. There are several of you we have not heard from as of today, so please let us know your status at your convenience…
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
It is hard to believe that just one week ago we were emerging from shelter and witnessing the magnitude of the storm we had just experienced and the unimaginable devastation it had wrought.
But we emerged, and in true Bulldog fashion threw ourselves into the tasks of ensuring that our students were safe and clearing access to the campus for emergency vehicles and services…
Dear students, faculty, staff, and extended UNC Asheville community –
As we begin to recover and move forward from the impact of Tropical Storm Helene, we at UNC Asheville, along with the entire UNC School System, stand in solidarity with the people of Western North Carolina. We are heartened by the way our community has come together since the storm’s arrival Friday morning.
While the campus sustained minimal structural damage, UNC Asheville has been without electricity, running water, and internet since Friday.
Communication with our campus and the broader community has been extremely limited due to impaired communications infrastructure, but slowly, we are gradually regaining our ability to connect…
Dear Campus Colleagues,
While I typically send my weekly Chancellor’s Update out each Thursday afternoon, with so much going on as we deal with Helene, I hope you can understand that we’ll take a pause this week.
My best wishes to everyone for your safety and that of your family and friends.
Sincerely,
Kimberly van Noort, Ph.D.
Chancellor
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
Open dialogue and a free exchange of ideas are central to our mission as a public university. Today I’m pleased to share a key part of how we’re putting our mission into action.
The Student Government Association and our voting ambassadors — to their credit — garnered campus support for a semester-long focus on democracy and civil discourse. To this end, the University has designated Fall 2024 as the Semester of Civics, a theme that reflects our collective commitment to civil discourse and civic engagement.
As you’ll see on the webpage, we’re introducing a series of nonpartisan campus events and opportunities designed to inform and engage leaders and citizens.
The Semester of Civics bolsters long-standing efforts by UNC Asheville students. In fact, the Princeton Review recently ranked the University No. 6 in the nation for “Most Politically Active Students” and No. 15 for “Most Engaged in Community Service.”
Dear Campus Colleagues,
Following last week’s good news about our fall enrollment — with a 15.6 percent increase in new first-time student enrollment over last year and 4.4 percent overall — it’s natural to wonder exactly what contributed to our success.
I’ve gotten questions about this, and I suspect you might, too, if you haven’t already. From the local Asheville community to our peers in higher education, friends and colleagues may ask about our accomplishment, what’s driving it, and what’s next for UNC Asheville.
This is a prime opportunity to tell our story. And there are no testimonials more credible than the first-hand insights of those doing the hard work. You’re among the best ambassadors and storytellers to explain our campus momentum — and your contributions to it.
With that in mind, I’d like to offer more detail about several factors contributing to the boost in our enrollment. None of these are a secret, so please feel free to share this information widely…
Dear Campus Colleagues,
Just a few days after Labor Day, I’m delighted to share good news about the impact of your sustained hard work.
Again this year, more students are choosing UNC Asheville.
Our just-completed fall census shows a current enrollment of 3,055 — a 4.4 percent increase over last year and a significant step toward our goal of 3,800 students by 2030. And our incoming class of new students — 1,027 in all — is our third-largest in the University’s history.
Included in this, new first-time student enrollment saw a 15.6 percent increase over last year and 43.6 percent over two years. New transfer student enrollment increased 11.2 percent…
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
Our commitment to the free exchange of ideas and open dialogue is a hallmark of UNC Asheville. With our new academic year underway, it is important to reaffirm our dedication to these principles, which are essential to our mission as a public university.
Diverse perspectives and experiences can lead to spirited debates and even tensions in our campus learning community. These moments are crucial to our collective growth and understanding. They help us explore complex issues, challenge assumptions, and deepen our collective knowledge.
As a state institution, the University upholds the right to free speech as protected by the First Amendment and the North Carolina State Constitution. Some outdoor public spaces on our campus are open to all regardless of their views — as long as they follow the law and University policies. This means that all members of our community, invited speakers, and members of the public have the opportunity to share their views, even when those views may be controversial, uncomfortable, or even hurtful for some. Throughout the year, demonstrations, rallies, and other events may occur on campus…
Dear Campus Colleagues,
With classes starting on Monday, you can feel the excitement on campus.
Move-in this week has unfolded smoothly, thanks to the many campus community members who are helping our students — and their families — as they settle in for the year. Students, and all of us, are eager for classes to begin and for the rhythms of campus life to resume.
With our Embark Orientation program underway for new students, I’m delighted to share that we should see an increase in enrollment over Fall 2023 and appear on pace to exceed our goals. While we won’t have an official count until our Census Day — Friday, August 30 — I expect the data will favorably reflect the strides we’ve made in both student recruitment and retention. I look forward to sharing those formal figures with you…
Dear Campus Colleagues,
As summer zips into its final weeks, I’m delighted to share several exciting campus events scheduled to open the new academic year. It will be a full team effort to prepare our students for the year ahead.
Our learning community will be especially vibrant for these gatherings, with the residence halls expected to be full once new and returning students move in on August 13-14 and August 17-18, respectively. Fostering a sense of community and belonging, Embark Orientation will welcome new students leading up to the first day of classes, which is Monday, August 19.
The first day of classes also kicks off our Weeks of Welcome, a series of intentionally designed events to engage students in campus traditions, build campus pride, and foster friendships and campus connections.
If you’d like to support the move-in process or Weeks of Welcome, please complete this form to participate. Our students and their families greatly appreciate your help, as I do. Thanks in advance for pitching in.
Dear Students and Campus Colleagues,
After thorough consideration, the UNC System Board of Governors (BOG) approved Wednesday a set of limited program curtailments stemming from our recent academic portfolio review. This vote culminates a difficult but important decision-making process that will help reinforce UNC Asheville for a stronger, more sustainable, and more vibrant future.
While phasing out any academic program is painful, we’re taking every step to minimize disruptions associated with these changes. I want to make sure everyone understands our next steps and our ongoing commitment to the long-term success and well-being of every student, including students enrolled in an impacted program.
As a reminder, the curtailments involve five of the University’s 27 undergraduate programs. Specifically, degree programs and academic departments in Ancient Mediterranean Studies, Drama, Philosophy, and Religious Studies will be phased out, while the Languages and Literatures department will be curtailed as we end concentrations in French and German…
Dear Campus Colleagues,
Across our gorgeous campus, visitors from all over the country are getting a real sense for what UNC Asheville is all about.
Our reinvigorated Conferences & Camps programming is drawing thousands of people this summer to our classrooms, athletic facilities, and beyond. You’d be forgiven for mistaking the level of activity for a spring or fall.
Led by our Conferences & Camps team, and supported by a host of Bulldog staff, these expanded programs reflect growth that many of you suggested in budget-related submissions through the Asheville 2030 webpage. This crucial initiative is a boost to our finances, bringing in an estimated $1.1 million in gross revenue annually.
But more than that, it helps the student participants get to know our community. They’re sleeping in our residence halls, eating in Brown Hall, going to meetings in lecture halls, participating in activities in the Student Recreation Center, and generally soaking up UNC Asheville life…
Dear Campus Colleagues,
As we head into the height of summer, I hope everyone enjoyed the Fourth of July holiday. It’s especially important to take breaks as our hard work accelerates ahead of the new academic year.
At the administrative level, much of that work centers on next steps following our academic portfolio review, or APR. The academic department chairs put exceptional time and thought into evaluating the department and program adjustments that I proposed last month as part of the APR. I appreciate their thorough and fair-minded formal response, which the University has shared with the UNC System Board of Governors, or BOG.
While I remain committed to the proposal, the department chairs’ response sets the stage for productive conversation as we move forward. Their ideas and consideration illustrate our shared values and priorities, including interdisciplinarity as part of our rich liberal arts and sciences tradition. I’m confident we can approach this work together and produce outcomes better than we might anticipate…
Dear Campus Colleagues,
While June marks a slower period for much of higher education, it’s a busy season for campus budgeting. Paul Forte, our new executive vice chancellor for budget & finance and chief operating officer, is getting up to speed quickly as he assumes his central role in this work and on the senior leadership team.
It’s important that everyone understand the current state of our budget, the institutional budgeting process, and legislative developments concerning state support for UNC System campuses. You received an email message from Paul yesterday that delves into these specifics — including some positive news — and helps ground us for fiscal year 2025, which begins July 1.
We approach that year with a shared sense of accomplishment, thanks to hard work across the University that saw us through some significant challenges in a very short period. I’m grateful to each of you for the commitment, understanding, and forbearance you continue to show. Change can be difficult, but our strategic choices are positioning us to become an even more vibrant learning community — and to serve our students better — in the long run…
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
Since sharing my proposal last week to modify UNC Asheville’s academic offerings, I’ve heard a number of questions and some misconceptions about the next steps. It’s essential that we’re all on the same page, so I want to clarify where we go from here, offer some additional detail, and share a reminder about our timeline.
Just to recap: Our academic portfolio review, or APR, led me to recommend that the University phase out four of its 27 academic departments — Ancient Mediterranean Studies, Drama, Philosophy, and Religious Studies — and curtail a fifth: Languages and Literatures.
Ending any program is a painful choice, but it’s important that we keep context in mind. In academic years 2020 through 2023, each of the impacted programs and concentrations averaged between two and eight graduates per year. This totals an average of 25 graduates per year — collectively — across all six impacted areas, which represented about 3 percent of our total graduates for that period….
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
Following careful consideration of data, feedback, and UNC Asheville’s long-term needs and direction, I’m announcing today my proposal that stems from our academic portfolio review, or APR.
Specifically, I’ve recommended that the University phase out four of its 27 academic departments — Ancient Mediterranean Studies, Drama, Philosophy, and Religious Studies — and curtail a fifth: Languages and Literatures.
I want to share my gratitude for your patience, understanding, and input since I announced the APR on May 1. Reducing program offerings is a painful step, and this is difficult for all of us. The University remains steadfast in its commitment to the entire community and will fully support all students in the impacted programs and all impacted faculty members as we move forward.
That means all students in the impacted programs will be able to complete their chosen majors right here. Any impacted faculty will have advance notice of changes to their employment status and access to University assistance to identify new opportunities…
Dear Campus Colleagues,
About a month into the process, our academic portfolio review, or APR, is keeping pace with the timeline I announced on May 1. It’s important that the community remains up to date on this work, so my message this week centers on our progress thus far and what comes next.
Three weeks ago, on May 14, academic leaders received a presentation of the First Tryon academic program margin study. Deans, the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, and department chairs were all in attendance.
The material, which is among several pieces of data informing the APR, has been valuable in our identification of areas for greater attention and inquiry. Since May 14, individual meetings with nearly a dozen academic department chairs and their associated deans have helped contextualize First Tryon’s quantitative data.
As these conversations wrap up, I plan to propose curtailing a number of academic programs. I will share this proposal the week of June 10, following additional consultation with senior staff and careful consideration of every relevant factor.
Specifically, the proposal will involve a combination of actions, including faculty reductions in some academic departments to align with enrollment trends, a reduction in our collection of academic majors, and the elimination of select academic programs.
As described in a memorandum I recently shared with academic department chairs, and in accordance with University policy, faculty will have an opportunity to review and respond to my proposal…
Dear Campus Colleagues,
As the UNC System Board of Governors wraps up a second day of meetings today, I want to bring you a few updates from here in Raleigh.
First, before the Board meetings, I met with System President Peter Hans, System Board Chair Randall Ramsey, and System CFO Jennifer Haygood to discuss our long-range Asheville 2030 planning efforts and ongoing steps to address our budget shortfalls. They’re impressed with and have shown full support for all this work. And they appreciate — as I do — the strong contributions and engagement across the campus community. As always, thank you.
Meanwhile, attention at the Board meetings has focused on changes to Section 300.8.5 of the UNC Policy Manual. You can catch up on official details starting on page 6 of this agenda document. Following the Board’s approval of the policy changes, we’re awaiting guidance on how they will affect UNC Asheville. Senior leaders at the University will share timely, detailed updates on this process throughout the summer as more information becomes available…
Dear Campus Colleagues,
Few moments instill more pride than Commencement. Thanks to hard work across the campus community, this year’s joyful ceremony was a great success. The remarks from Dr. Walter Ziffer, David Holt, and Ona Elkins were pitch-perfect — full of wisdom and in tones lifting up the whole occasion. Careful planning and organization made it all possible. My gratitude to all faculty and staff members for the long hours and vision that went into making these lasting memories.
As we move into a calmer stretch on campus, we know the quiet won’t last long. The camps and pre-college programs that have become a regular part of our summer calendar are on the horizon. So is Asheville Ideas Fest, set for June 17-20, when we’ll share campus with this stimulating intellectual program for a third year. It’ll be an honor again to host attendees from across the country and the globe.
Meanwhile, our academic portfolio review, or APR, continues following my community announcement last week about the process. Senior staff and academic leadership — including academic chairs and program directors, deans, and the Faculty Senate Executive Committee — received preliminary data this week. A new APR section has been added to our Asheville 2030 webpage, including a link for you to offer comments and questions.
We’re approaching this effort with urgency, as we have no time to waste in addressing our structural budget deficit…
Dear Campus Colleagues,
Of everything this academic year has brought us, our own resilience stands out.
We’ve persevered through the University’s financial pressures and navigated campus conversations about global conflicts. We’ve taken tangible steps toward a stronger future through the Asheville 2030 planning work and through other major milestones. In particular, a strategic focus on recruitment and retention stabilized our enrollment and helped set a foundation for growth.
In closing our immediate budget deficit and working toward more sustainable fiscal practices in the next academic year, we’ve shown — and are showing — a resolute confidence in our future. These aren’t simple or easy days, but our proactive work presents an important example and message for our students that progress doesn’t happen by chance. By accepting our present, looking ahead, and building groundwork together, we create the future that our communities, our families, and all of us need.
Asheville 2030 is a hallmark of this approach. As you know, this visioning effort will set institutional infrastructure to fulfill a principal goal…
Dear Campus Colleagues,
We’re in the homestretch.
With the end of the academic year nearly upon us, I know these weeks are particularly intense and exhausting. We’re ending the semester strong, thanks to your tireless work every day. My best wishes and gratitude to everyone as we round out 2023-24 with the momentum that’s defined the whole year.
Thanks, too, for the particular support you’ve shown our soon-to-be graduates. Extra thanks on this front to the volunteer team who will help us mark Commencement on May 11. Our graduating seniors are models of resilience. They persisted through the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic as high school seniors before building successful college careers as Bulldogs. I look forward to joining you as we celebrate their milestone achievements and their next chapters in life.
On campus, this summer will be a busy one. We’ll soon host a full slate of camps and pre-college programs. Keep an eye out, too, for updates on the Lipinsky Hall renovation.
This week, work entered a new phase on this project with the first meetings of the Lipinsky Hall Renovation Design Team…
Dear Campus Colleagues,
We’re wrapping up the spring semester with strong indicators for next fall.
Our last Admitted Student Day of the academic year saw stellar involvement, with 533 visitors joining us on campus this past Saturday. Nearly 200 of them were prospective UNC Asheville students — an 88 percent turnout rate among registrants that continued our record-setting season for these events. Interest was so robust that we had to switch to larger venues. Seventeen of the student attendees have since committed to the University.
These vital events in our recruitment process are a community effort, and I’m grateful to our Admission and Financial Aid team and all who make them possible. That includes the faculty who represented their departments in the academic program fair. To everyone who contributed to Admitted Student Days throughout the year, please accept my sincere thanks.
Thanks, too, to those who had a hand in the annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Spring Symposium, which was a smashing success. Turnout and engagement on Tuesday were impressive, and the amazing work being done by our students is a testament to the high level of impactful learning that takes place at UNC Asheville…
Dear Campus Colleagues,
As we near the end of the semester, I want to acknowledge that this has been a difficult period for UNC Asheville and also extend my appreciation to our campus community. Thank you for the support, care, and compassion that you continue to show one another.
Amid all this, I am grateful for the efforts undertaken by impacted offices and areas. Your collective response underscores what makes this such a vibrant community — a place with heart, understanding, and vision.
Looking toward the Fall 2024 semester, I’m pleased to report sustained strong interest on the admission front. Like many colleges and universities, we have extended our fall enrollment deadline — now May 15 — to account for national complications with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
For incoming students, the Office of Financial Aid has released more than 1,500 aid packages to date. Forthcoming aid packages hinge on information due from the U.S. Department of Education…
Dear Campus Colleagues,
With regret, I write to share that the University has formalized a limited number of employee separations as we continue broader efforts to stabilize our finances. My Update this week is longer than usual to detail this news, recap overall cost-management efforts, and preview next steps as challenging circumstances persist.
I’m deeply disappointed that a reduction in force was necessary to help the University address a projected budget deficit in the next fiscal year, which begins July 1. We didn’t want to part with any of our valued colleagues, and we pursued every avenue to reduce the number affected in this difficult period.
Our efforts involved a careful, campus-wide study of all our positions, allowing us to curb the number of employees facing separation. For the time being, we left open certain positions as people retired or departed for other opportunities. In other cases, we reassigned some people to different positions, and suspended or eliminated some unfilled roles, at least for the short term. In the process, we achieved substantial savings that helped us retain many of our colleagues.
Needing additional cuts, we identified 12 active staff positions in Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, and the Office of the Chancellor for discontinuation. Staff members holding affected positions in these units received separation notices this week. As a community that values care and compassion, we are extending them practical resources — including benefits support, help with resumes and job searches, and other assistance.
I’m grateful to and for each of these members of our community and for their many enduring contributions to UNC Asheville.
Recognizing the significance of this moment, the University has made counseling and related services available to all faculty and staff. Those services are available through Human Resources at 828-251-6605 and online through the Employee Assistance Program.
As painful as these separations are, it’s important that we understand them in the context of the University’s financial reality and our extensive efforts to contain costs, minimize impacts on the workforce and student experience, and plan a more resilient future.
A roughly 25 percent enrollment decline over the past five years and outmoded budgeting practices contributed to budget-deficit projections of $6 million for the current fiscal year and some $8 million for the next. To prevent these unsustainable gaps and begin setting a firmer financial and programmatic foundation, we’re taking a four-step approach:
- Tighten our immediate spending practices and contain any effect on faculty, staff, and overall operations. We focused tirelessly on this step over the past several months. Among our measures, we have indefinitely held open vacant positions, reduced travel costs, drawn more on trust and endowment funds when possible, and created a Fall 2024 academic schedule that relies heavily on permanent faculty.
- Identify and finalize a limited number of employee separations, as necessary. This is the step we completed, with regret, this week.
- Evaluate the University’s portfolio of academic programs.
- Monitor enrollment and financial trends ahead of Fall 2025 and begin longer-term planning and visioning work. This step will continue from the spring into the fall. Our enrollment on August 30 — census day — will determine if we need additional adjustments at that point.
I know how incredibly difficult this is. As educators, we focus our energies and talents on growth. We never want to be in a position of scaling back and should seek to avoid employee separations to the greatest extent possible.
Unfortunately, colleges and universities across the country are facing a range of financial pressures. We detail some of ours on the Asheville 2030 webpage. As we explored cost-management options, it became clear that reducing our workforce is an unavoidable part of our path to operational sustainability.
Going forward, we’re determined to strengthen the University through a long-range strategy and growth. Asheville 2030 is our comprehensive effort to engage the community in visioning this future. The work has begun with a survey — still available — and will eventually feature a series of community conversations. As we’ve noted, by 2030 we want a sustainable enrollment of 3,800 to 4,000 students drawn to — and supported by — our commitment to the vision of an innovative public liberal arts and sciences university of the future.
When opportunities to participate in the visioning process emerge, please join in. Our planning will be only as good as the extent of the community’s participation.
For today, I hope you’ll join me in thanking those directly affected by our reduction in force. We value all their contributions to our community and to our students.
Thank you for your support and for your dedication.
Sincerely,
Kimberly van Noort, Ph.D.
Chancellor
Dear Campus Colleagues,
The rhythms of campus life always seem to move faster than we expect. As of today, we’re just a little more than a month away from the conclusion of our spring term — and our academic year. Finals will wrap up May 8, with Commencement following on May 11.
I’m so looking forward to joining you as we honor the hard work and accomplishments of our newest graduates. As part of the Commencement celebration, we’ll award three honorary degrees (see the news release here). Our honorees all live locally:
- Oscar Wong, known as “the Godfather of Asheville craft beer,” who founded the Highland Brewing Company in 1994
- David Holt, the well-known Grammy and Emmy award-winning musician and television host featured on series such as “Folkways,” “Great Scenic Railway Journeys,” and “Fire on the Mountain”
- Walter Ziffer, an author, Holocaust survivor, and former Mars Hill University faculty member who wrote “Confronting the Silence: A Holocaust Survivor’s Search for God”
The accomplishments achieved by these remarkable members of the broader Asheville community represent resilience, dedication, and purpose — pillars worth celebrating as our graduates forge ahead.
In other developments on campus, our Osher Lifelong Learning Institute this month became part of the Office of the Chancellor, with Executive Director Catherine Frank reporting to me directly. I made these adjustments to integrate the Institute and its members, many of whom are retirees, even more integrally into the life of the University.
There’s so much that all of us — students, faculty, and staff — can learn from OLLI members’ experience, skills, and wisdom. Lifelong learning is a cornerstone of a liberal arts and sciences education, and we should lean into the inspired examples offered by the lifelong learners, problem-solvers, global citizens, and change-makers at the heart of the Institute.
On a final note for this week, I expect to share soon our next steps for addressing the deficit in our current fiscal year, which ends June 30. We continue to take every step to minimize…
Dear Campus Colleagues,
After a robust and inclusive selection process, I’m delighted to share that Yvonne Villanueva-Russell will join UNC Asheville on July 1 as our new provost. We’ll be announcing the news later this afternoon, but I want you to hear it from me first.
Dr. Villanueva-Russell’s impressive and varied background positions her exceptionally to bring insightful guidance across the institution. As detailed in our forthcoming public announcement, she has worked extensively in program development, having collaborated with the Stanford Life Design Lab. She also taught sociology for many years, supervised undergraduate research, and has centered innovation throughout her career.
I’m thrilled to welcome Yvonne to campus and look forward to her academic leadership. Please read today’s complete announcement, available online here.
This important hiring concludes an aggressive search we announced December 19. The effort drew an impressive candidate pool and would have been impossible without the search committee, whose members put in long hours to identify several provost finalists who recently visited campus. I extend my thanks to all the committee members — in particular to Professor of Music Brian Felix, the committee co-chair, and to everyone who met with the finalists and provided feedback.
We owe a debt of gratitude, too, to Dr. Herman Holt for his stewardship of Academic Affairs over the past year and for his constant devotion to student success. His 25-year UNC Asheville career — as a professor of chemistry and biochemistry, and recently as dean of special and graduate programs — is an inspired example of our work at its best. Herman, thank you.
Meanwhile, on the operations front, we continue to evaluate and determine measures to address our deficit for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30. We hope that expected reductions in spending and staffing will be a one-time event. But it’s important to note that our enrollment numbers on August 30 — our census day — will determine if we need additional adjustments.
We’ve also begun budgetary discussions for fiscal year 2025. These conversations are prioritizing budget targets that will enable strategic planning across campus in the next academic year.
As you know, the Asheville 2030 visioning process is a cornerstone of our planning approach. I’m pleased to announce here that Kirk Swenson, the University’s vice chancellor for advancement, has agreed to lead that visioning effort…
Dear Campus Colleagues,
As we resume our routines and rhythms following Spring Break, I want to take just a few minutes to address some misperceptions gaining attention on campus.
First, it’s important to reiterate that UNC Asheville is beginning a longer-range visioning plan that will bring together the entire community. We know higher education is changing. Together we must — and will — position the University to refine our essential work: uplifting and preparing students, investing in the future, and honing our focus and competitive edge. The Asheville 2030 survey represents early steps in this journey.
While we can’t forecast the precise outcomes of the planning effort, key values of the University and our mission will not change. The liberal arts, for instance, will remain central to our identity. Pedagogical approaches that form the core of a liberal arts education are — and will stay — foundational to our teaching methods and to our place in the world. They are at the heart of what makes UNC Asheville distinctive and at the core of what will allow us to grow into the future.
In fact, we often refer to our community as a public liberal arts and science university. This updated description reflects our true scope but doesn’t diminish our foundational commitment.
A key part of our decision-making process is ensuring that we maximize the role that our full-time teaching faculty play in course delivery. You may have heard speculation, too, around the University’s intentions for adjuncts and lecturer faculty. I want to be clear: We have not made any blanket decisions to phase out adjunct and lecturer faculty…
Dear Campus Colleagues,
You’ve heard a lot lately about our enrollment decline. It’s a big factor in UNC Asheville’s budget deficit. It’s also a challenge to our long-term health and strength as an innovative and vibrant institution.
Today I want to share our latest progress in efforts to reverse the trend.
As you know, last fall we welcomed our largest incoming class of first-time students in four years — a real sign of promise. Now, with more students joining us, our headcount is up 71 over last spring to mark our second semester of stabilized enrollment. And recruitment efforts appear to be extending our momentum into fall 2024.
Take the Admitted Student Day held this past weekend. Of 175 students who registered, 160 attended — a 91 percent turnout rate. That’s about 10 percent better than our average. Including families and friends, 422 total visitors came to campus Saturday. We’re already seeing commitments from students who attended. Our next Admitted Student Day is April 20.
At a top-line level, we surpassed last year’s record application numbers by 37 percent, with more than 7,600 applications to date. That’s enabled us to grow the number of admitted students for next fall by 65 percent…
Dear Campus Colleagues,
Especially in challenging times, it’s crucial that we have hard conversations. It’s just as important that we draw on our collective experiences and insight to tackle big problems.
These past couple weeks, the many budget-related meetings and listening sessions across campus have underscored UNC Asheville’s ability to meet this moment. The conversations are vital as we address our immediate budget deficit and set a model for longer-term planning.
To everyone who has participated, including those who supported recent meetings with our parents, families, and Alumni and Foundation boards: Please know how much I appreciate your thoughtful and frank contributions. Thank you for joining in the process.
Following feedback from these sessions, we’ve added a Google Form to the Asheville 2030 webpage to solicit suggestions for cutting and saving costs, generating revenue, and otherwise fostering budget relief…
Dear Campus Colleagues,
Just a few times a year, our traditions give us a chance to celebrate together — as a community — the spirit, history, and future of UNC Asheville.
In my book, Homecoming ranks right up there with Commencement as a true reflection of a university community’s character and impact. Hearing the stories of so many alumni as they returned to campus last week was an inspiration. Empowered by their education here, they’re making real, tangible differences in their communities.
It’s a living testament to the everyday hard work, innovation, and creativity that we all cherish. And it was a powerful reminder of our shared impact as educators, as learners, and as contributing members of a great legacy in higher education. Of course, Homecoming victories by many of our sports teams were icing on the cake!
To protect and strengthen our impact for the next generations, strategic change is a must…
Dear Campus Colleagues,
In my remarks at the February 6 Faculty and Staff Meeting, I noted the University’s ongoing work to establish a clear picture of our financial situation. This includes an anticipated $6 million deficit in the current fiscal year ending June 30 — a figure that will climb to $8 million next year if we don’t act soon.
Today, I am highlighting our process to curb the deficit this semester as we prepare UNC Asheville for a longer-term strategy and growth. Given the need to balance the budget this year, we will be taking these steps on an accelerated timeline.
Following my recent discussions with deans, the Faculty Senate, Staff Council, and the SGA president, we will begin a series of focused conversations next week with academic departments, scheduling meetings with faculty representatives for each program. More broadly, we will also be setting up several campus wide listening sessions for staff and students. I will share a more comprehensive calendar of dates and updates next week.
Ideally, a more inclusive community process should inform decisions…
Dear Campus Colleagues,
I am grateful for all the positive feedback from many of you about my previous Chancellor’s Update and the Opening Meeting remarks earlier this month. We must be collaborative and strategic as we chart our path forward, and your insights are an invaluable and necessary component.
These important conversations will continue in a number of formats over the coming weeks and months, and I look forward to our ongoing dialogue.
First, I have called for an all-campus meeting for faculty and staff on Tuesday, February 6 at 12 noon in the Blue Ridge Room. At this meeting, with the support of John Liposchak, our vice chancellor for budget and finance, we will provide a transparent overview of our current financial position and how we got here…
Dear Campus Colleagues,
Happy New Year! I hope everyone enjoyed a restful and relaxing holiday break that included valuable time spent with friends and family. With eager anticipation for all that 2024 will bring, I look forward to seeing everyone again soon and welcoming our students back to campus.
With the start of the new year, I remain grateful for the opportunity to serve as the ninth chancellor of UNC Asheville. In this role, I pledge my ongoing commitment to work collaboratively with all of you to provide the best possible learning experiences for our students, so they become wise leaders prepared to pursue successful and rewarding careers and live lives of meaning and impact.
As well, I pledge to continue to bring clarity, honesty, and transparency to our collective work, along with a dedication to shared governance enhanced by engaged campus conversations about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
While we will begin an institutional planning process in the coming months, first and foremost we must remain absolutely focused on addressing the recent enrollment declines that negatively impact our financial position. As such, our strategic priorities for the foreseeable future will continue to involve student recruitment and retention.
The good news is that we are keeping the wind in our sails on both fronts…
Questions?
Your feedback and questions on the deficit are vital to addressing this challenge, and everyone is encouraged to submit questions via an anonymous Google Form.
