Members present: Bob Orr, David Whitaker, Debie Connelly, Jan Gilbert, Linda Beja, Candy Benson, Janet Dickinson, Nancy Dillard, Bill Haggard, Chris Hall, Jeanine Knowles, Chloe Little, Dianne Lynch, Jesse Lyons, John Ritchie, Lisa Scruggs, Newt Smith, Roger Turk and Tori Ellison, recorder
The meeting was called to order at 3:30 p.m.
Chancellor Bardo updated the Council on several key campus issues.
"Ultra-high Technologies" Partnership with UNC Charlotte
With a pledge of support and $1 million in initial federal funding secured by U.S. Rep. Charles Taylor, Western Carolina University and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte agreed Monday, Nov. 26, to a partnership in "ultra-high technologies" that is expected to jump-start efforts to bring emerging high-tech industries to Western North Carolina and support UNC Charlotte’s role as a research leader in opto-electronics.
Recreation Facility
Plans for a new recreation facility are evolving quickly. Western needs a place for students to congregate and socialize. The major indoor recreation facility will include a large community center, a coffeehouse and several places for students to "hang out."
University Housing
The Pappas Consulting Group, Inc. has returned to examine the issue of retention with a special emphasis on campus housing. There continues to be a 10% vacancy rate in Western’s residence halls. Dorm rooms do not fit with current student needs – number of students per room and lack of air conditioning are just a few examples. Research is taking place to see if it is more cost effective to renovate residence halls such as Scott and Albright/Benton or to tear them down and start over.
Local Tuition
A proposed local tuition charge of $100 per semester for full-time students would enable Western Carolina University to enhance its curriculum and classroom teaching toward the overall goals of boosting educational quality for all students and improving Western’s student retention rate.
Western’s board of trustees approved the local tuition charge, during its quarterly meeting Thursday, Dec. 6, as part of a proposed schedule of student fees for the 2002-03 academic year.
Unfinished Business
Social Security Task Force
Jesse Lyons and Casey Hurley will provide Linda Beja with names of potential committee members.
Elections Procedures
David Whitaker reported that the Elections Procedures Task Force has been meeting and will present a full report at the January 8, 2002 meeting.
Leadership Committee
Jan Gilbert reported that the Leadership Committee hopes to have Western’s leadership retreat organized by the January 8, 2002 meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:50 p.m.
The next UAC meeting will be January 8th at 3:30 p.m. in the Catamount Room.
