Business Affairs

Michael Lizotte, University sustainability officer, was appointed a technical advisor by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).

A nonprofit membership organization, AASHE empowers higher education faculty, administrators, staff and students to be effective change agents and drivers of sustainability innovation. AASHE enables its more than 900 members to translate information into action by offering essential resources and professional development to a diverse, engaged community of sustainability leaders.

Reliable, trustworthy and safe – important concepts in the field of transportation, and Helena Connors is focused daily on achieving these benchmarks.

As UNC Charlotte’s transportation manager, Connors oversees the University’s arrangement with CATS, the daytime and evening SafeRide program, the Zipcar rental program and other efforts to move students, faculty and staff around campus.

 “Every day is different,” said Connors. “We’re constantly exploring ways to improve our current services, and we’re researching new programs, such as a bike-share offering.”

Barnes & Noble at UNC Charlotte in the Student Union and the UNC Charlotte Center City Campus Shop will offer faculty and staff members the chance to purchase merchandise and receive an extra 10 percent discount on top of the 20 percent faculty and staff already receive.

The holiday sale at Barnes & Noble at UNC Charlotte’s is Wednesday, Dec. 9; the faculty/staff sale day at UNC Charlotte Center City Campus Shop is Thursday, Dec. 17.

South Village Crossing was featured in the November issue of On-Campus Hospitality, a national business publication that focuses on collegiate food services.

A 56,146-square-foot facility, South Village Crossing is located between Moore and Scott residence halls; it opened in January 2015.

Click here to read a reprint of the On-Campus Hospitality feature.

McKim & Creed Inc. has received an Engineering Excellence Grand Award for its work on the PORTAL Building. The honor was presented by the American Council of Engineering Companies of North Carolina at its annual Engineering Excellence Awards Gala in Raleigh.

PORTAL, which stands for Partnership, Outreach and Research to Accelerate Learning, is a business incubator and corporate innovation center that offers a unique and flexible environment for emerging enterprises.

UNC Charlotte is ranked 24th among the best government green motor fleets in the United States, according to the website 100 Best Fleets, which recognizes peak-performing fleet operations in North America.

Chris Facente, automotive supervisor in the Facilities Management Department, said creating a sustainable motor fleet supports the University’s commitment to be an excellent steward of the environment and saves money on fuel costs.

The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) defines internal auditing as “an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve an organization’s operations. It helps an organization accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes.”

The biannual campus cleanup, tree banding, a transportation fair and a social are among the events planned for the University’s Sustainability Week Oct. 5-9.

In the past fiscal year, UNC Charlotte’s energy consumption has decreased by about 5 percent, resulting in a 1 percent reduction in total utility costs. Yet, gross square footage on campus increased by 4 percent during the same time frame.

Tony Schallert, energy manager in facilities management, noted the reductions are a result of the University’s performance contract that replaced inefficient lighting in older buildings and the more proficient energy-saving initiatives employed in new construction.

Jaime Bochantin, assistant professor of communications and organizational science, and Karen Ward, assistant director of executive education, will be the guests on the Sept. 3 edition of “The Live Wire,” Inside UNC Charlotte’s streaming webcast.

Starting at 2 p.m., Thursday, they will discuss the University’s programs for executives and senior leaders; these offerings provide executives with the latest knowledge and research that they can apply directly to their companies.