University Operations

The start of the fall 2015 semester is approaching, and University officials advise students and returning faculty to pay close attention to several transportation and construction upgrades, that, until completed, could result in disruptions navigating the UNC Charlotte campus.

Nearly 5,700 students will move into residence halls starting Friday, Aug. 21.  Students, faculty and staff members should anticipate more traffic and plan accordingly when entering or exiting campus, especially on Friday. Campus police will direct traffic on Friday and Saturday.

Construction crews recently placed the final girders of the CATS Blue Line Extension bridge that approaches the UNC Charlotte Main station.

The bridge originates near North Tryon Street and spans the Toby Creek and the Toby Creek Greenway as it nears the final station planned for campus. CATS officials note this is the longest of the 11 bridges being constructed for the Blue Line Extension.

When the Barnhardt Student Activity Center (SAC) Fitness Center reopens this fall, students and visitors will enjoy new equipment and increased workout space. Starting Thursday, May 7, the fitness center will close for summer renovations. It is expected to reopen in August.

Additional features will include an expanded check-in and welcome area, improved lighting and increased accessibility. Private showers will be added to the men’s locker room, and both locker rooms will have private dressing areas.

The process to update the University City Area Plan, which includes the development of light-rail stations near and on the UNC Charlotte campus, received public support recently during a public-comment with the Charlotte City Council.

Robert Wilhelm, vice chancellor for research and economic development, stated at the meeting, that the plan update “will be critical in linking the University to nearby employment centers and business district.”

April is Autism Awareness Month, and in commemoration of World Autism Awareness Day April 2, UNC Charlotte’s Dickson Gate, the campus’s main entrance, was lit blue as part of a global event to raise awareness of autism and celebrate individuals with autism for their unique talents and gifts. Thousands of iconic landmarks, communities, businesses and homes across the globe united by shining bright blue lights in honor of the millions of individuals and families around the world with autism.

Rapidly increasing demand and several years of budget cuts are the key factors in a proposal to raise UNC Charlotte tuition for the next two fiscal years.

The UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees, this past fall, approved a plan to raise tuition for resident undergraduates by 3 percent for FYs 2015-16 and 2016-17. The current in-state, full-time tuition/general fee rate is $6,179 for fall and spring (FY 2014-15).

The Campus Accessibility Advisory Committee, a 15-member group appointed by the chancellor, recently recommended that students be able to use any gender restroom on campus to which they self-identify. In response, the Trans* Committee and the Office of Disability Services have partnered in a joint effort to establish accessible and gender-neutral restroom facilities in every academic building on campus.

The website Best College Values has ranked UNC Charlotte’s Student Union at number six on its list of “30 Most Amazing Student Unions.”

In determining its compilation, the website examined architecture and exterior appeal, facilities, interior appeal and tradition when ranking student unions across the country.

UNC Charlotte administrative offices will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 24, through Thursday, Jan. 1, for winter break. The University will resume normal operations Friday, Jan. 2, 2015.

The first day of classes for the 2015 spring semester is Wednesday, Jan. 7.

The State Human Resources Commission has approved a recommendation from the N.C. Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) to modify the policy governing the operations of state agencies during adverse weather and emergency events. The primary changes are:

clarification of the difference between these event types
guidelines for acceptable accounting for employee time lost to such events.
The policy will continue to be applicable to all state employees across all agencies, including Universities.