University Advancement

Crowdfund UNC Charlotte, an online platform to generate financial support for various campus ventures, returns this month with three new initiatives.

The fundraising projects are student- and alumni-driven initiatives with guidance from faculty or staff members; proposals are submitted to the Division of University Advancement before being promoted through Crowdfund UNC Charlotte.

Spring 2016 Crowdfund UNC Charlotte projects are “Operation SAA Uniforms,” “Women’s Soccer Team Europe Trip” and the “Burkhalter-Rassel Scholarship.”

State appropriations and tuition and fees are among the funding sources for the University; however, the “extras” that add to academic and research opportunities and enhance campus facilities often result from the generosity of donors.

“Green with Gratitude” is a campus-wide initiative to inform students about the importance of philanthropy and to create the chance for them to express their appreciation to donors to the Chancellor’s Fund.

UNC Charlotte Chancellor Philip L. Dubois continues to educate the greater Charlotte region on the benefits of the Connect NC bond. On Wednesday, he joined Tony Zeiss, president of Central Piedmont Community College, at a luncheon meeting of the Hood Hargett Breakfast Club.

The $2 billion Connect NC bond, which is on the March 15 ballot, would fund a number of projects across the state with almost half allocated to the UNC system. For UNC Charlotte, if the bond is approved, the University would receive $90 million to construct a new science building.

Trustee Sharon Decker calls Connect NC bond “essential” to state’s economic future.

Saturday, March 12, is the final day of early voting in advance of the March 15 primary; University City Regional Library is an early voting site. Its location makes it convenient for faculty and staff members who decide to cast their ballots before the normal election date.

Jeffrey Leak, president of the Faculty Council and professor of English, voted early, and he encourages fellow employees to engage in this civic exercise.

Early voting for North Carolina’s March 15 primary begins Thursday, March 3, and continues through Saturday, March 12, which means faculty, staff and students can go ahead and cast their ballots. Because UNC Charlotte is committed to fostering a spirit of civic engagement, the University will host a free shuttle to the University City Regional Library, an early voting location, to enable interested students to vote prior to Spring Break.

Mitchell Daratony, SGA president, talks about how the bond package will benefit science education at the University.

Chancellor Philip L. Dubois has been busy briefing civic groups in Union, Iredell and Gaston counties on the Connect NC bond. The $2 billion measure, if approved by voters on March 15, would bring $90 million to UNC Charlotte for a science building and a total of $135 million to the Charlotte region.

Dubois has said that the funds are critically important to the continued growth of the University and the long-term economic vitality of North Carolina.

Chemistry student Lizeth Hernandez talks about the pride that she and fellow students have in conducting research and how that would increase with better facilities.

The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) bestowed grand champion status on two initiatives led by the offices of University Communications and Alumni Affairs in the Division of University Advancement. The projects were chosen the best from among more than 1,000 competing entries.

The video “Big Ideas, Big Future” and Niner Connection, a redesigned online community for UNC Charlotte alumni, were named Grand Award winners during the recent CASE District III conference in Nashville.