UNC Asheville, Appalachian State and Western Carolina Universities to Discuss Funding Needs with State Legislators March 27 in Asheville

UNC Asheville will host a visit by the N.C. Legislature's Joint Select Committee on Higher Education Facilities Needs beginning at 11 a.m. Monday, March 27, on the UNCA campus. Committee members are visiting selected sites among the 16 campuses of The University of North Carolina system as part of an effort to evaluate capital funding needs at the state's public universities and community colleges.

UNC Asheville Chancellor James H. Mullen, Appalachian State University Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski, and Western Carolina University Chancellor John W. Bardo will be joined by professors and students from the three institutions to discuss capital funding needs, with a special focus on improving science facilities. UNC system President Molly Broad will also attend the meeting.

Commission members will tour UNC Asheville's Rhoades Hall, a science building that UNCA seeks to replace, and Highsmith Student Center, which lacks the funding for scheduled renovation and expansion. UNCA's 10-year capital needs total

$152.4 million, which includes funding to renovate several classroom buildings, Lipinsky Auditorium, and construct a new facilities management building, additional parking structures and three residence halls.

Appalachian is seeking funding for renovation of its Rankin Science Building and for construction of a Library Information Commons, as well as for other building renovations, improvements to infrastructure and technology, and for land acquisition. Appalachian's 10-year capital needs total $252.5 million.

Anticipating a nearly 50 percent growth in the coming 10 years, WCU is seeking funds to renovate the Stillwell Science Building, the McKee Classroom Building and student support facilities. New construction needs include a 300-bed residence hall and funds to construct the Fine and Performing Arts Center. WCU's 10-year capital needs total $295.2 million.

Media Contacts:

• Tom Byers, UNCA Special Assistant to the Chancellor, 828/251-6500
• Jim Rowell, WCU Director of Public Information, 828/227-7327
• Robert Shaffer, ASU Director of Public Affairs, 828/262-2092
• Merianne Epstein, UNCA Public Information Director, 828/251-6676