Asheville 2030
Frequently Asked Questions
General questions
No. Work towards a balanced budget will follow a strategic and deliberative process that is anchored in our commitment to being student centered and providing a transformative and impactful educational experience. Any and all decisions we make about budget and University spending will be rooted in this commitment.
We are not in financial exigency at this time. This is not an existential crisis for the University. Steps we are taking now will prevent worsening financial conditions that would imperil our mission.
Enrollment has fallen by about 25 percent — more than 900 students in all — over the past five years. The University’s spending has not declined to reflect reduced revenues; in some instances, expenditures have increased.
Longstanding budgetary practices — such as using lapsed salaries and reserve funds to fill gaps — distorted financial assumptions and modeling. This prevented earlier discovery of the extent of our challenges. Longer-term planning will equip the University with more realistic, up-to-date, and durable budgeting tools.
We’ve been using reserves to help balance the budget, but we must maintain a strong reserve-fund balance as a matter of financial responsibility. Reserves are meant primarily to address unexpected expenses and enable strategic, long-term investments, not plug shorter-term deficits.
Our donors led us to a record last year for fundraising: some $14 million in fiscal year 2023. We’re grateful for their tremendous commitment. Philanthropy drives long-term opportunities for the University — and for students — but is not an immediate cash source to address deficits. Contributions include gifts, pledges, and future commitments. A portion of this money arrives as cash that we can use now; other funds will arrive later, sometimes years on. Further, the vast majority of gifts are restricted and support very specific purposes. Some donations build our endowment, where they are invested and generate long-term returns similar to a retirement account.
Finally, our recent enrollment growth will help the University’s financial outlook, just not immediately. State appropriations increase in line with growth in Resident Student Credit Hours, but that added funding takes time to materialize. The University will need several years of consistent growth to produce appropriation increases.
Increases in utility costs have contributed to higher expenses and to the deficit, due in part to rising prices for electricity. We are considering ways to reduce utility costs, similar to what we do during the Holiday Break in December and January.
Yes. The University’s decision two years ago to add summer programs has been helpful financially and supports recruitment, as more visitors come to campus, including high school students in our pre-college programs. All growth in summer programming has the potential to grow and support our efforts to diversify revenue.
The University has invested in and will continue to prioritize marketing, supported by a portion of $5 million a year in state money to strengthen recruitment and retention.
This has helped support the work of our admissions and financial aid team. We have experienced two consecutive years of application increases, at 30 percent per year, and a stabilization of the five-year enrollment decline in the past recruitment cycle.
Strategic realignments and adjustments in admission and marketing resulted in UNC Asheville’s largest incoming class in the past four years. This year’s incoming class also is the most diverse in University history. We set records for first-generation and Pell Grant-eligible enrollment.
The new Access Asheville financial aid program, launched in October 2023, will help build on this momentum. Pledging full tuition and fees for qualifying North Carolina residents whose family adjusted gross income is less than $80,000, Access Asheville has already strengthened application numbers.
Similar strategic adjustments in student-success efforts have contributed to a 90 percent retention rate for spring 2023 students, the best in three years. Residence-hall occupancy soared to 95 percent.
The University engages consultants when they add value to its work, by augmenting capacity and/or promoting best practices in their respective areas. Consultants have helped our admission and marketing efforts, providing a clear and direct return on investment. Consultant expertise in budget issues will help us address our deficit, balance our budget, and improve related processes for the long term. Because personnel matters are confidential, the University cannot comment on hiring decisions or employment status.
The University is committed to maintaining the student experience — in the classroom, on the field and court, and in the pool. We are not expecting major changes to academic programming, services, or athletics for current students. Specific actions to curb an anticipated $6 million deficit for fiscal year 2024 remain under discussion and have yet to be finalized. Chancellor van Noort has been meeting with faculty, staff, and student leaders as campus leadership pursues every avenue to minimize the impact of any budget reductions.
UNC Asheville is an amazing place because of our creative and vibrant community. Any and all ideas, recommendations, and considerations are appreciated and will be taken under advisement. While we might not be able to activate every idea in the moment, we hope each and every member of our community will be willing to share potential ideas and solutions for our bright future! Please respond to our Asheville 2030 survey!
Student-related questions
The University is committed to maintaining the student experience — in the classroom and out — and expects no changes to academic programming, services, or other resources used by current students. Tuition rates, which are set by the UNC Board of Governors and have not increased for eight years, are expected to remain level to protect accessibility. Specific actions to curb an anticipated $6 million deficit for fiscal year 2024 remain under discussion and have yet to be finalized. Chancellor van Noort has been meeting with faculty, staff, and student leaders as campus leadership pursues every avenue to minimize the impact of any budget reductions.
There are currently no plans to reduce course offerings, and students should not be concerned about their ability to complete courses required for their majors and minors. The University’s faculty retention and attrition rates have been fairly moderate — a pattern we expect to continue. Tuition, which is set by the UNC Board of Governors, has been unchanged for in-state students over the past eight years. The Board will consider non-resident tuition increases at its Feb. 29 meeting. Non-resident tuition and fees are $3,000 less, on average, than they are at peer institutions.
The University is committed to maintaining the student experience — in the classroom and out — and expects no changes to academic programming, services, or other resources used by current students. We are not anticipating major changes or impacts to student success and retention initiatives.
Decisions have not been made about academic program curtailment. If decisions are made to curtail academic programs, then that process would likely take some time. All students in any affected programs would be supported through the completion of their chosen degrees. In short, students should not worry about being able to complete their academic programs. They will be fully supported throughout their time at UNC Asheville. Students who have questions or concerns and who are unsure who to reach out to are welcome to stop by Governors Hall or email VCSA@unca.edu and the Student Affairs team will be sure to get any questions answered.
Financial aid and scholarships will not be impacted. Students and families with questions or concerns about financial aid are encouraged to check out our Financial Aid website, or schedule an appointment with a financial aid counselor here.
No, the University’s budget deficit will not affect the application of tuition dollars this way.
Under the federal Course Program of Study (CPOS) requirement, a student may receive federal and state financial aid only for those courses included in the student’s program of study. The program of study includes Liberal Arts Core requirements, major requirements, and any elective hours needed to reach the 120-total-hour requirement.
To receive a full financial aid award, a student must complete a minimum of 12 undergraduate hours from the program of study each spring and fall semester. If a student’s credit hours do not meet this requirement, financial aid eligibility is reduced. This reporting process helps lower the cost of education and stay focused with financial aid, course registration, and your graduation timeline.
For students with specific questions about CPOS and how it might impact an academic schedule, the Academic Student Success Center can help. Drop-in hours run from noon to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday on the lower level of Ramsey Library. Appointments with the Academic Student Success team may be scheduled through this link.
We are not anticipating major student employment cuts or caps. Supervisors are reviewing student employment opportunities to ensure University resources are being used efficiently and effectively.
Asheville Campus Entertainment (ACE) and student organizations are not expected to face budget reductions. The student activity fee supports their funding. To the extent that enrollment drops, the total possible allocations from student activity fees also drops.
As the student activity funds student organizations, it’s important that we’re fiscally responsible and properly stewarding these resources. The University doesn’t expect major cuts to these areas. Supervisors are taking a close look to ensure their administrative excellence and fiscal responsibility.
The University does not anticipate major impacts to student experiences, such as outdoor programs or Campus Recreation, Health, or Counseling.
The University does not anticipate major impacts to student experiences, such as Embark, Pre-Orientation, and Ignite or other similar student success and retention initiatives. The University is committed to maintaining the student experience — in the classroom and out — and expects no changes to academic programming, services, or other resources used by current students.
Faculty and staff-related questions
The University has no plan to discontinue all adjunct faculty appointments; nor has the Chancellor signaled such a plan, despite some comments to the contrary. Adjunct faculty are on term-limited appointments, and all existing contracts will be honored. Some appointments may not be extended after they end.
Our adjuncts and lecturer faculty are important members of our academic community. As the University has reviewed our financial constraints, the reality is that these appointments represent a significant portion of our academic operating expenses. As such, we have made the difficult decision to limit reliance on these faculty appointments for Fall 2024. This is not a reflection on the talents and many contributions of those serving in these roles. We will be working closely with departments to make decisions that best support the delivery of the academic curriculum and the student experience.
Employee separations take place only after the University has exhausted all other possible measures. Because of the scope and timing of the deficit for fiscal year 2024, leadership expects that a limited number of employee separations will be necessary. Near-term actions to address the 2024 deficit will be substantially completed by the end of the spring 2024 semester. This timing will allow the University to balance its current budget and prevent a larger deficit next year.
The University would focus any employee separations as narrowly as possible. Any affected employees would receive support through and past their employment. The timing of separation would vary with each case and depends on several factors, including an employee’s classification.
All UNC Asheville salaries are based on market rates and ranges determined at the UNC System. While these options have been discussed, they are not deemed a sustainable, long-term strategy or solution to address the current challenges.
Questions involving the work of faculty in and outside the classroom should be directed to relevant department chairs, deans, and the Office of the Provost.
Donor intent will always be strictly followed in the use of funds that have been generously given to the University. This applies to state funds, too. Questions involving the work of faculty in and outside the classroom should be directed to relevant department chairs, deans, and the Office of the Provost.
We want to hear from you,
At UNC Asheville we uplift all voices on issues that affect all of us. Submit any questions or comments you might have on the new budget plan in the link below.
