STUDENT LIFE, RESOURCES, AND SERVICES

Where To Go  |  Academic Services  |  Dean of Students  |  Dining on Campus  |  Educational Services
Environmental Services  |  Health & Well-Being Services  |  Housing & Residence Life
International Programs  |  Out in the Community  |  Parking & Transportation  |  Performing Arts
Preparation for Professional Schools  |  Research  |  Safety  |  Sports & Recreation  |  Student Activities

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte provides a comfortable and enjoyable environment for students that is conducive to studying. The services, facilities, and programs of the University promote individual student development and foster a community which promotes the involvement of students in their intellectual, cultural, spiritual, emotional, and physical development.

Students at UNC Charlotte are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities. Athletics, the Student Government Association, the Campus Activities Board, and Student Media are a few of the available activities that can play a significant role in each student's development and total education. Participation in activities, ranging in type from service and religious to athletic and social, and from creative arts and crafts to wilderness experiences, increases a student's opportunities to acquire leadership skills, to experience the responsibilities involved in functioning within a self-governmental process, and to develop personal talents and interests.

Note: Students are entitled to participate in several student groups and organizations as long as they are academically eligible to continue their enrollment. However, participation in Athletics and organizations associated with the Student Government Association, Campus Activities Board, and Student Media requires students to be in good standing with the University, both academically and in accordance with The Code of Student Responsibility.

WHERE TO GO

Every student’s 49er Card (Student ID) displays each student’s photo, name, and student ID (different from their Social Security number for privacy reasons). The 49er ID Card (Student ID) proves that you are a member of the campus community and entitled to certain services. It is required to check out materials form the Atkins Library. It is required to obtain services at the Student Health Center. It is required to utilize the facilities in the Belk Gymnasium and the Student Activities Center.

The 49er ID Card is also an important tool that allows you to access your residence, some classrooms, labs and buildings; obtain meals, and make purchases wherever the 49er Account is accepted. The 49er Account is accepted in vending, machines, the Copy Center, The Candy Shoppe at Cone University Center, the Game Room at the Student Activity Center, washer/dryers in Resident laundry rooms, and the Bookstore. It is the required payment for personal copies and printing on campus. Lastly, entertainment venues around Charlotte, such as movie theaters, may offer UNC Charlotte students discounts on admission upon presentation of the 49er Card. For more information, please visit www.auxiliary.uncc.edu/49ercard. 

Entering freshmen and transfer students will receive a 49er Card during SOAR. Others can obtain a card in the ID Office located on the second floor of Cone University Center across from Main Street Market. They’re open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Students will be required to present a photo ID and a university document stating your ID number.

Student Union. The student union is the community center of the University, serving students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors. It provides services and conveniences that members of the college community need in their daily lives and creates an environment for getting to know and understand others through formal and informal associations.

UNC Charlotte's new Student Union is expected to open Fall 2009. Designed to be the epicenter of campus activity, the yet-to-be-named 196,000 square foot, three-story union is home to student services of every kind including a food court consisting of Wendy’s, Starbucks, Mamma Leone’s, Zia Juice, and Einstein Bagels; a game room lounge; a 210-seat movie theater; a multi-purpose venue with 600+ seating banquet style; four retail stores; a student organization and activity space; eight meeting rooms; a piano lounge; an art gallery; and study spaces with Wi-Fi.

The Campus Bookstore, a Barnes & Noble Booksellers store will also move to the new Student Union. It offers new and used textbooks, non-required special interest and gift books, school supplies, computer software, greeting cards, gifts, and insignia clothing and other logo items.

Parking for the Student Union is available in the adjacent Union Deck, with a raised walkway to the building. A long timber bridge also connects to residential areas of campus.

Find out more online at http://studentunion.uncc.edu/. 

ACADEMIC SERVICES

The Academic Services organization at UNC Charlotte enriches the academic community by offering a broad range of initiatives promoting student success, ensuring access, and enhancing the educational experience of all students. Through transition programs, learning communities, career services, experiential learning, university-wide honors, disability services, tutorial programs, and initiatives for underrepresented students, Academic Services cultivates life skills critical to successful graduation and global citizenship. Addressing the needs of a diverse student population, Academic Services utilizes an integrated student-centered approach which reinforces rigorous academic expectations and encourages student engagement from the time of enrollment through graduation.


ATHLETIC ACADEMIC CENTER

The Charlotte 49ers Athletic Academic Center provides assistance to all Charlotte varsity student-athletes to achieve academic and personal success at the University by providing support services designed to meet their unique needs and insuring the student athlete’s compliance with all National Collegiate Athletic Association, Atlantic 10 Conference and University regulations. Academic advisors provide academic advising services, priority registration, tutorial services, supervised study sessions, a computer lab, résumé writing assistance, a life skills program, and academic recognition.


DISABILITY SERVICES

The Office of Disability Services works with departments across UNC Charlotte to ensure that educational programs and campus facilities are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Disability Services counselors meet with qualified students to determine and provide reasonable and appropriate accommodations that support the student’s educational goals.

Assistive technology is available to students with disabilities in the Office of Disability Services, centralized computer labs, Atkins Library, and in other departments on campus. Service animals assisting individuals with disabilities are permitted to all facilities on campus. Prescriptive devices, devices of a personal nature, or personal attendant care are the responsibility of the student. Specific accommodation questions should be directed to a Disability Services counselor.

The Office of Disability Services supports a culturally rich, inclusive, and accessible campus environment by providing disability related education and consultation to faculty, staff, and the community.

HONORS COLLEGE

The Honors College at UNC Charlotte offers academically talented, enthusiastic, motivated students many of the personal and intellectual advantages of a small liberal arts college within the diversity of a large university. The emphasis is on seminars, intensive reading, writing, and discussion in which reasoned self-expression and critical thinking are valued and rewarded. The Honors College is comprised of several distinct programs, each with its own standards for admission and requirements for graduation. Unique enrichment opportunities; including scholarships, study abroad, community service, executive shadowing, special lectures, and individualized senior projects are also available. Some exceptionally talented students are enrolled in more than one program. An honors residence option is also available for all students in the Honors College.

The University Honors Program. Open to talented and highly motivated students of all majors, the University Honors Program (UHP) is designed to challenge and broaden the intellectual growth of UNC Charlotte’s most gifted students. Through a series of interdisciplinary courses, cultural enrichment opportunities, a commitment to citizenship and service, and an individually designed senior project, honors students have a unique opportunity to customize their honors curriculum to meet their own specific goals. The interdisciplinary courses fit the theme, "Issues for Human Survival in the 21st Century," and are designed to confront political, religious, economic, ecological, gender, race, justice, and human rights related issues and their impact on the global community and the human condition. To stimulate discussion and faculty-student interaction, all University Honors Program classes are restricted to a small class size with program permission required for enrollment.

To graduate with University Honors Distinction, students must satisfy the following requirements:

1.) Complete two courses (6 hours) selected from the following designated honors sections of the General Education Curriculum: LBST 2101, 2102, 2212, 2213.

2.) Complete two (6 hours) University Honors Program Topics courses at the 3000-level

3.) Satisfy the University Honors Community Service requirement by completing either LBST 2215 Citizenship, or HONR 2750 Community Service Practicum.

4.) Satisfy the University Honors Enrichment Requirement by completing either a LBST 1000 level HONR section or HONR 2701 Enrichment Seminar.

5.) Complete HONR 3790 Honors Senior Project, or an approved discipline-based honors thesis/project, with a grade of A which has been approved by the Honors Program Director and Honors Council.

6.) Maintain a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 and a 3.2 grade point average in University Honors Program designated courses. Maintain “good standing” status through participation in the UHP Student Association.

Honors sections for ENGL 1103 (Accelerated College Writing and Rhetoric) and HONR 1100 (Honors Freshman Seminar) are offered during the fall semester to orient entering freshmen to the philosophy and rigors of the University Honors Program. In addition, courses across a wide variety of disciplines, including Business, Architecture, Biology, Criminal Justice, Dance and Theatre, History, English, Philosophy, and Political Science, are offered to University Honors Program students on a demand basis and may be used to satisfy the University Honors Program course requirements. In every case, University Honors Program courses include strong humanities components.

University Honors Program students are encouraged to live in the Honors College Residence, located on the third floor of Witherspoon Hall, which provides an environment especially conducive to study and cooperative learning. The commons area of this floor contains a study/classroom area where honors classes may meet.

The University Honors Program, in cooperation with the Education Abroad Program, also promotes a comprehensive study abroad program, emphasizing diversity, choice, and flexibility. Although study abroad is not required, it is strongly encouraged.

Students in the program are also part of the University Honors Program Student Association. The student-led organization organizes social events, special discussions, student mentoring, and community service projects. All UHP students are expected to attend meetings and participate in community service projects each semester in order to remain in good standing.

Academic Department and College Honors Programs. Many academic departments and colleges also have honors programs permitting students to graduate with honors in their academic discipline. In some cases, graduation with honors within an academic discipline can be combined and coordinated with graduation with University Honors distinction. Academic departments and colleges that have honors programs include: Anthropology, Art and Art History, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Computing and Informatics, Criminal Justice and Criminology, Education, Geography and Earth Sciences, History, Languages and Culture Studies, Latin American Studies, Mathematics and Statistics, Philosophy, Physics and Optical Science, Political Science, and Psychology. Information on how to apply and graduate with honors in a specific academic discipline can be found in this Catalog under each academic discipline with an honors program. In general, discipline-based honors programs are open only to students with junior or senior standing.

The Business Honors Program provides students with access to a range of opportunities designed to stimulate their thinking and broaden their exposure to topics related to business issues.

Students majoring in the Belk College of Business must complete an Application for Admission to the Business Honors Program and conduct an interview with the Director or Assistant Director. Admission to the program is based on the student's demonstrated Honors potential (determined by examining GPA, SAT scores, courses completed, academic and other distinctions, and other factors) and availability of space in the program.

The North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program provides $26,000 four-year scholarships annually to 500 high school seniors from across the state. In turn, students must participate in a rigorous and unique four-year teacher preparation program and teach for four years in the public schools of North Carolina. At UNC Charlotte, the NC Teaching Fellows Program fosters scholastic achievement and professional leadership through personal attention and enrichment experiences. Teaching Fellows participate in special activities to complement their involvement in the regular teacher education program. UNC Charlotte’s Teaching Fellows Program features a variety of exciting enrichment experiences such as activities designed to build leadership activities, retreats focused on interpersonal and team building skills, weekly seminars on relevant and timely educational issues and trends, cultural events, community service projects, multicultural/diversity activities, opportunities to participate in the University Honors Program, and early and continuous field experiences in NC public schools. NC Teaching Fellows at UNC Charlotte also benefit from the special guidance of a full-time campus director, an academic advisor, and faculty members in the Colleges of Arts + Architecture, Education, and Liberal Arts & Sciences. Teaching Fellows are housed in the Honors residence hall and receive priority registration. For more information, visit online at http://education.uncc.edu/tfellows.

Pre-Health Professions and Pre-Medical School Advising. The Honors College maintains a proactive pre-health advising office to serve undergraduates seeking careers in a variety of health care professions, including, but not limited to: medicine, physical therapy, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, optometry, dentistry, occupational therapy, podiatry, and chiropractic medicine. For details, please see the “Preparation for Professional Schools” heading later in this section.

Scholarships for Advanced Undergraduate and Graduate Study. The Honors College coordinates applications for many national scholarships for advanced undergraduate and graduate study. These scholarships, including the Rhodes, the Marshall, The James Madison, The Barry M. Goldwater, the Jack Kent Cooke, the Phi Kappa Phi, and National Science Foundation Fellowships require extensive application procedures and are only awarded to the most outstanding applicants. Only students with exemplary academic records—combined with service and leadership—qualify for these highly selective graduate and, in some cases, advanced undergraduate awards. Most also require an on-campus review and institutional endorsement of completed applications.

LEARNING COMMUNITY PROGRAM

UNC Charlotte’s Learning Community program is transforming the way students live, learn, and succeed in their academic endeavors. Learning Communities help students transition through academic and social challenges by providing small, supportive living and learning environments. Students interact closely with UNC Charlotte faculty, staff and peer mentors through areas of common interest, enroll in 2 or 3 of the same courses and in many cases live together in the same residence hall. Through the Learning Communities, students make friends and develop close relationships.

While most Learning Communities are residentially-based, some of those do not require living on campus; one Learning Community is designed specifically for students living off campus; and other Learning Communities have no residency requirements or components. Most are one-year programs designed for freshmen, some are two-year programs and one is specifically designed for transfers.

Whether students are interested in arts and sciences, business, community service, computing, criminal justice, engineering, English, gender studies, health, history, international relations, leadership, political science, psychology, teaching, or are not sure yet, they are likely to find a community of interest. Two pre-existing groups also have Learning Communities: Building Educational Strengths and Talents (B.E.S.T.) and University Transitions Opportunity Program (UTOP). 

MULTICULTURAL ACADEMIC SERVICES

The Office of Multicultural Academic Services, while open to all students, provides academic support to students of African, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, Pacific Islander, and Native American descent. A sense of community, fostered by the Office, aids in recruitment, retention, and graduation from the University. The Office of Multicultural Academic Services serves as a clearinghouse for information and referrals to ensure access and long-term academic success of all students.

Services, for individuals and groups, include: secondary academic advising; tutoring in math, science and engineering; weekly study halls; mentoring; workshops; monitoring of academic progress; recognition of academic achievement; personal, cultural and leadership development; resources and referrals for students, faculty and staff; academic support for undergraduate and graduate students. Programs include:

University Transition Opportunities Program (UTOP). UTOP is a summer academic program designed to facilitate the transition from high school to the University for students from typically underrepresented populations by involving a limited number of incoming freshmen in a structured collegiate experience prior to fall semester enrollment. Seven hours of credit are awarded for successful completion of UTOP coursework, which consists of English Composition, Supplemental English, and Freshman Seminar. These students have the option of participating in a one-year Learning Community in which students are engaged in coursework and activities that emphasize growth and development in liberal arts education and diversity, and campus connections. Participants continue to enroll in classes together and share living/learning environments during the fall and spring semesters.

Student Advising for Freshman Excellence (SAFE). Co-sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Students, SAFE is a peer mentoring program designed to facilitate the transition from high school to college of all incoming underrepresented freshmen with an emphasis on African American, Asian, Hispanic, and Native American students. Through orientation sessions, academic advising, academic issues workshops, mid-semester evaluations, student advising, individual and group tutoring, co-curricular and social activities, and weekly meetings with student counselors, SAFE empowers students to acquire the skills necessary for academic success and the establishment of rewarding careers. Some students are eligible to participate during the sophomore year.

Producing Readiness of Diverse University Cohorts in Education (PRODUCE). UNC Charlotte is one of the eight schools in the University of North Carolina system that has received a Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) National Science Foundation Grant to: (1) improve the quality of the learning environment for underrepresented students in science, mathematics, engineering and engineering technology; (2) increase the number of underrepresented students graduating with degrees in science, mathematics, engineering and engineering technology; and (3) develop and implement effective techniques of attracting talented underrepresented students who would otherwise not choose science or engineering as a career. PRODUCE participants receive faculty and peer mentoring, peer tutoring, opportunities to attend professional meetings/conference, internships, and scholarships.

Building Better Brothers (B3). B3 is a mentoring program designed to assist with academic performance and educational outcomes of African American and Hispanic males. Students complete an application of interest and participate in a variety of educational and social programs throughout the year with faculty and staff mentors.

UNIVERSITY CAREER CENTER

The University Career Center for Work, Service, and Internships (UCC) offers comprehensive career services designed to assist undergraduate and graduate students in all stages of career development: career decision making, career planning, career employment, and reassessment. Experiential learning (EL) is a key component and all students are encouraged to take advantage of internship, cooperative education, 49ership, and other career exploration programs. With the UCC acting as the coordinating and academic support unit for experiential learning, 60-70 percent of all students at UNC Charlotte participate in a university-sanctioned career-related experience. The Center has over 140,000 student contacts annually but still offers ten personalized Career Coaches and Advisors (and four Peer Career Assistants) who serve as liaisons to each major and the university advising center for student one-on-one meetings.

The goals of the UCC are: (1) to help all students make and act on career decisions that maximize their potential and long-term development; to enable the timely involvement of students in experiential learning programs; (2) to engage students, faculty, and employers in quality experiential learning programs; and (3) to promote receptivity to and involvement with UNC Charlotte, the colleges, and the students among individuals and organizations outside the University. The UCC serves over 7,000 area and national employers, and also has developed co-op and 49ership programs abroad. Over 50,000 jobs and internships are handled through the office each year.

Services provided by the UCC range from individual career counseling and advising; résumé and cover letter critiques; and videotaped, mock interviews; to small group workshops on such topics as résumé writing, effective interviewing, uncovering the hidden job market, and transitioning from college to the workplace. Other services include résumé referrals to employers, on-campus interviewing, career exploration through various experiential learning programs and a special topic freshman seminar, a career resources library collection, and seven major career fairs and events annually, including the Public Service Career Fair and Career Expo. The majority of services can be accessed online at www.career.uncc.edu; through the “My Future” section on the 49er Express at www.express.uncc.edu; or by registering in NinerJobNet, an online database maintained by the UCC. Online UCC links such as Career Search, Vault, Career Spots, Optimal Résumé, Optimal Interview, Vocational Biographies, H1-B Visa Database, and E-leads are added career information tools for students. A newsletter is published each semester to inform students about workshops, programs, and employers recruiting on campus. Students are encouraged to visit the UCC and to start their experiential learning program and career planning in their freshman year or first semester at the University. The UCC has received national recognition for its “state-of-the-art” program initiatives.

Part-Time Employment On-Campus. Offered by the Department of Human Resources at UNC Charlotte, the Student Employment Office (200-A King Building) assists students in locating on-campus employment opportunities. The University participates in the federal Work-Study Program and attempts to match students with jobs related to their academic interests. Students are encouraged to limit employment to no more than 20 hours per week to allow for success in a full 15-18 hour course load each semester. More information, including job openings, can be found online at www.hr.uncc.edu/students.htm. 

Part-Time Employment Off-Campus. The UCC’s Job Location and Development (JLD) Program assists students in obtaining part-time, summer, and temporary employment off-campus. Some full-time jobs that do not require a degree are also listed. Job listings may be viewed online to registered students in Campus Professional. Jobs may include career-related positions in various fields such as education, business, entertainment, engineering, graphic design, and healthcare. The JLD Program is available to help students to earn money for their academic and personal expenses during their enrollment at the University.

Experiential Learning Programs. The majority of UNC Charlotte students are expected to and do participate in university-sanctioned experiential learning programs (60-70%). Opportunities are available for both undergraduate and graduate students to receive course credit, transcript notation, or other recognition for supervised experiences in public and private agencies within the community, nationally, and internationally. These opportunities are offered through experiential learning programs including over 450 courses involving clinical rotations, cooperative education, internships, 49erships, and practicums. For full description of related courses, see the Course Descriptions section of this Catalog. The University Career Center (UCC) is the central coordination office for most experiential learning opportunities for the campus and can provide information about the following options:

Cooperative Education. This career related professional program is available to students in the Colleges of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Business, Computing & Informatics, and Engineering. Participants must be enrolled full-time in a degree program and have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 (Master’s level graduate students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0) and complete course requirements specified by their department. Transfer students must complete 12 hours at UNC Charlotte before applying to the program. Co-op students work two to three semesters either part-time or full-time (depending on college requirements) with an employer in a paid work experience. Although the experience does not offer academic credit, participants are classified as full-time students and receive transcript notation. Please refer to the list of non-credit courses below.

The 49ership Program. The University Career Center sponsors a non-credit internship called a 49ership. Program participation is especially valuable for students who want career experience and do not have an internship option through their academic major (see Internships paragraph below). Full-time undergraduate students in good academic standing may participate in the program after completing 30 credit hours at UNC Charlotte provided they have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better; full-time graduate students must complete nine credit hours in their graduate program before making application and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. (Transfer students must successfully complete 12 credit hours at UNC Charlotte before making application.) Both a minimum of 5 weeks and a minimum of 80 work hours over one semester are required to complete the program. Fall and Spring 49erships are part-time. Summer 49erships may be full- or part-time. While it does not offer academic credit, it is noted on the student’s transcript, and students pay a course registration fee. Approval for enrollment must be arranged before the student begins the work experience. Participating employers have included Carolinas Medical Center, the District Attorney’s Office, General Electric, Walt Disney World Co., Duke Energy, Vanguard, Transamerica, and Crisis Assistance Ministries. Seventy percent (70%) of the positions in this program are compensated. Please refer to the list of non-credit courses below.

Cooperative Education and 49ership Experience Non-Credit Courses.

For a full description of courses, please see the Course Descriptions section of this Catalog.

Service Learning Opportunities through the University Career Center. Service Learning opportunities include 49erships in non-profit and government agencies and organizations, enabling students to gain career-related and community service experience while learning about related social, civic, human service, and political issues. Employers (as well as career advisors) assist students in working toward learning objectives and will complete an evaluation on each student at the end of each term. Please refer to The 49ership Program paragraph above for details.

The Career Prospector Program. This program involves “shadowing” professionals in various career fields, many of whom are alumni, parents, and area managers. Students are able to explore career options and academic interests by conducting informational interviews and observing professionals in the career fields of their choice. The shadowing experiences can last for one day or longer, depending on the schedules of the students and sponsors. Over 300 sponsors in various career fields participate in this program coordinated through the University Career Center.

Internships. Internship programs provide an introduction to career options in a professionally related work experience which enables the student to apply classroom learning. This experience is usually unpaid and may offer academic credit if there is appropriate faculty supervision. Students work 8 to 12 hours a week while also taking classes. Students are encouraged to check with their academic department for further information and academic eligibility requirements.

UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Designed to improve academic performance and foster meaningful learning experiences, the University Center for Academic Excellence provides services, programs, and materials to help students develop and refine thinking skills, utilize self-management skills, and learn course material more quickly and thoroughly while earning higher grades. Services include: (1) individual consultations regarding academic concerns; (2) diagnostic assessment of learning styles and study habits/attitudes; (3) computer-assisted instruction for a variety of course subjects; and (4) a library of materials with books, DVDs, video tapes, and printed handouts outlining successful study/learning strategies. The Center collaborates with various colleges and programs on campus to promote success of undergraduate and graduate students, including a special topics freshman seminar. All services are free to enrolled UNC Charlotte students.

Tutorial Services. Well-trained undergraduate and graduate students provide free tutoring to University students in a variety of disciplines. Tutoring is primarily in mathematics, sciences, business, and foreign languages and emphasizes both content mastery and learning skills development. Tutors are selected based on their competence in the subject area, faculty endorsements, and their effective interpersonal skills. Tutorial Services at UNC Charlotte has been nationally certified through the College Reading and Learning Association, Level II.

Supplemental Instruction. Supplemental Instruction (SI) assists students in historically difficult courses, including biology, chemistry, physics, communication studies, engineering, mathematics, and business. In regularly scheduled group study sessions, trained SI Leaders help students refine the unique skills necessary for doing well in the target course. Students regularly participating in SI average one-half letter grade or higher on final course grades than non-participants.

Students Obtaining Success. Students Obtaining Success (SOS) is a peer mentoring program for students on academic probation at UNC Charlotte, designed to help students identify reasons for probation, identify strengths and causes for difficulty, and develop an action plan to improve grades and return to good academic standing. Any student on academic probation is eligible to register for the SOS program. Each participant is assigned a peer mentor for support and guidance. The program lasts for one semester and is tailored to help individuals with specific needs and issues. Participants must commit to meeting weekly with a peer mentor and work to create and follow a personal plan to help regain good academic standing.

Study Smarter Workshops. A wide variety of workshops are offered each semester on topics that strengthen students’ academic success. These highly interactive workshops are lead by staff and trained graduate students on-site and across campus. Topics include Test Prep; Time Management; Procrastination Prevention; Effective Note Taking; Learning Styles; and many more.

Building Educational Strengths and Talents (BEST). BEST helps select populations of students, who have historically faced challenges adapting to college, to settle into the culture of higher education. Students can access intensive advising and a wealth of other academic services (including tutoring) and cultural resources all the way through graduation. However, special emphasis is placed on the early college years. This federally-funded program administers BEST Choices, a Freshman Learning Community; as well as initiatives that focus on scholastic success and post baccalaureate planning during the freshman and sophomore years.

DEAN OF STUDENTS

The Dean of Students Office is a department within the Division of Student Affairs and serves as a key link between students and other areas of campus life. As the hub of the Niner Nation student experience, the mission of the Dean of Students Office is to serve the University community as a compass and advocate for student centered education built on integrity, citizenship and diversity.

Various programs are sponsored by the Dean of Students Office to promote opportunities for learning and growth during a student's college experience. The staff is responsible for advising and promoting the following programs: student government, Greek life, minority student support services, new student orientation, off-campus student services, women's programs, student conduct, volunteer services, Community Service Learning Community, religious affairs, and parent and family programs. In addition, the staff of student development professionals provide support for any student who has a grievance or concern about the University. The office also coordinates and assists with the settlement of academic and behavioral misconduct charges against individuals and student organizations.

The Dean of Students Office welcomes all students and values the concept of student involvement in leadership opportunities on campus. Leadership training offered within this department focuses on nine competencies: (1) interpersonal relationships, (2) critical thinking, (3) social justice, (4) ethics, (5) social responsibility, (6) leadership, (7) communication, (8) resource awareness, and (9) professional responsibility. Through these competencies, students often find themselves learning new skills and abilities that can help them become more productive and responsible citizens.

Each of the programs and services listed below provides excellent opportunities for students to incorporate classroom knowledge into practical situations. The Dean of Students Office is located in 217 King. For information, call 704-687-2375.

PROGRAMS FOR NEW STUDENTS

New Student Programs help freshmen and transfer students learn more about UNC Charlotte. SOAR and WOW! are two orientation and transition programs offered to new students.

SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising and Registration) occurs during the summer and immediately prior to the fall and spring semesters. This program provides the opportunity for new freshmen and transfer students to begin their transition to UNC Charlotte. Orientation workshops, testing, academic advising, and first semester course registration occur during SOAR. Visit online at www.soar.uncc.edu.

WOW! (Week of Welcome!) is a week-long event welcoming both new and returning students to campus. This program is a University-wide effort to especially welcome new students to campus and acc limate them to the many programs and services offered by the University. All students are invited to participate in WOW! activities which include 49er New Year, dances, movies, prizes, cookouts, and other fun events. Visit online at http://wow.uncc.edu.

STUDENT CONDUCT

Student Conduct promotes personal responsibility and encourages civility, integrity and a sense of community among UNC Charlotte students. The purpose of the student conduct process is to maintain a campus community conducive to a positive learning environment. Consistent with this purpose, intentional efforts are made to foster the personal, social and ethical development of those students whose behavior is in conflict with University expectations, both in and out of the classroom. The desired outcome of the student conduct process is to provide an educational opportunity by which individuals or groups can recognize the consequences of their actions and be held accountable for their choices. As part of their individual responsibility to the University community, all UNC Charlotte students are expected to be familiar with their rights and responsibilities as outlined in The Code of Student Responsibility, regarding behavioral violations, and The Code of Academic Integrity, regarding violations through academic coursework. Visit online at www.dso.uncc.edu/judicial and the Student Conduct section of this Catalog for more details.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

The Student Government Association (SGA) provides students with an early experience in governmental affairs. Students often find their work in student government a useful background for later public service. The University encourages student participation in its affairs and has student representatives on many faculty and administrative committees. The leaders of student government are committed to representing the student body and to developing students' awareness of the many facets of campus life. All regularly enrolled students, both full and part-time, are eligible to participate in student government. Visit online at http://sga.uncc.edu. 

The Student Government Association is comprised of:

The Executive Branch is advised by the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and is made up of the president, the vice president, chief of staff, the four class presidents, and the cabinet, who are appointed by the president.

The Student Senate is advised by the Assistant Dean of Students and is comprised of the President Pro Tempore and representatives from each academic college who are chosen by the students with majors in the college. The Vice President of the Student Body conducts all meetings and serves as liaison between the Senate and the Student Body president’s office.

The Judicial Branch is advised by staff in the Office of Student Conduct and is composed of panel members of the Student Court including leadership in the Offices of Student Attorney General, Chief Justice of the Hearing Panel, and Student Counsel. Members of Student Court are responsible for hearing cases of alleged violations of the UNC Charlotte Code of Student Responsibility and determining appropriate sanctioning if the accused is found responsible for violation of the Code.

GREEK LIFE (FRATERNITIES/SORORITIES)

Greek Life at UNC Charlotte consists of 25 fraternities and sororities founded upon the principles of scholarship, leadership, community service and the formation of lifelong friendships. Fraternities and sororities uphold these fundamental values in their pursuit of collegiate excellence, enabling all members to achieve their personal best. Greek Life provides students with an opportunity to be a part of a large group with many diverse characteristics while sharing a common goal. The fraternities and sororities work together to provide a quality experience for anyone who joins via service projects, educational programs, and social activities. The experience the student gains from organizing and motivating people, planning and implementing projects and learning to give back what one has received can be an invaluable part of a college education. Membership recruitment for a fraternity or sorority primarily begins with each new semester. However, some organizations hold recruitment meetings throughout the year. Some of the many programs within Greek Life include: the Greek Leadership Conference, All-Greek Philanthropy Carnival, Greek Week, Airband, Stepshow, and New Member Convocation. Visit online at www.greeklife.uncc.edu.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS

Volunteer Services helps students find community service opportunities through a clearinghouse containing listings of local non-profit agencies. A wide diversity of service activities is available, and the Volunteer Services staff helps students find an opportunity that matches their interests and skills. Volunteer Services also has a number of issue-based programs that focus on topics like hunger, education, homelessness, literacy, and mentoring in which all UNC Charlotte students, faculty, and staff may participate. Volunteer Services sponsors special events such as Relay for Life, 49er Plunge, Food Recycling Program, Service in Action, Volunteer Fairs, and Into the Streets. Visit online at www.dso.uncc.edu/volunteer.

Community Service Learning Community (CSLC) is a one-year program for first-year students who are planning to live off-campus and, most importantly, have expressed an interest in community service. Most of the CSLC students are from the Charlotte metropolitan region. This interdisciplinary, non-residential learning community draws on the ideals of service learning, which combines volunteer efforts with academic study. Students in this learning community are provided with opportunities to make a difference by volunteering in the local community, form relationships with students living on and off campus, and learn about community and campus resources.

FAMILY PROGRAMS

Parent and Family Programs are designed to provide communication between the University and family members of UNC Charlotte students in order to support student success, generate goodwill for the University, and promote an appropriate role for families within the campus community. Through collaboration with a variety of departments on campus, Parent and Family Programs provide resources to keep families connected to the University and equipped to support their student throughout the college experience.

Niner Nation Family is intended to strengthen the relationship we have with our students’ families and increase communication with parents and actively involve them in the life of UNC Charlotte. Membership is open to all parents and family members of current students. To join, simply contact the Niner Nation Family Office at parents@uncc.edu or call 704-687-2635, or visit the website at www.parents.uncc.edu. 

MINORITY STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Minority Student Support Services is designed to assist and advocate for the needs of UNC Charlotte’s under-represented populations. Through collaboration with a variety of offices on campus, the program focuses specifically on academic support, mentoring, social networking, ethnic and cultural development, leadership development, and personal growth.

Student Advising for Freshman Excellence (SAFE) is a peer mentoring program designed to help students academically transition through their first year of college. The SAFE program connects new students with upper-class mentors who serve as role models during the first year of college and provide academic and student development programming to address needs in a holistic manner. Visit online at www.dso.uncc.edu/safe.

Women's Programs strives to promote understanding, raise awareness, and address the needs of women in the UNC Charlotte community by offering a variety of programs to students, faculty, and staff. The goals of the Women’s Programs Office is to support and serve women by celebrating their achievements and to advocate for a gender friendly environment. Women’s Programs provides faculty, staff, and students with information and services about women; sponsors programs which address and educate the community regarding issues concerning women; and advocates for the rights of women in the fight to end domestic violence. Programs offered include: the Women's Leadership Conference, Take Back the Night, Clothesline Project, and Vagina Monologues. Visit online at www.dso.uncc.edu/women. 

OFF-CAMPUS STUDENT SERVICES

Off-Campus Student Services supports students by providing informational resources about off-campus living and by working with campus departments to encourage University-wide support systems for off-campus students. Students who decide not to live in the residence halls can choose from a variety of apartment complexes, rental properties, or condominiums located near campus. Off-campus Student Services programs include Vendor Fairs, Coffee Brakes, Lunch Brakes, and safety presentations. Visit online at www.dso.uncc.edu/offcampus. 

DINING ON CAMPUS

The University offers a variety of meal plans to meet the diverse dining needs of residential students. Students who are assigned housing accommodations in the high-rises (Holshouser, Scott, Moore, and Sanford Halls) and the suites (Sycamore, Cedar, Hickory, Hawthorn, Lynch, Oak, and Witherspoon) are required each semester to purchase one of the “required area” meal plans offered. Meals may be used at the Residence Dining Hall and Crossroads Cafeteria. Declining Balances are used at all University Dining Services locations. Food purchased with Declining Balance is tax-free.

Depending on choice of housing, all first-year freshmen must choose from the meal plans designated for freshmen; upper-class students may choose from any of the meal plans offered.

During the period of occupancy, UNC Charlotte will provide meals according to the plan selected. However, no meals will be provided during Fall break, Thanksgiving break, Winter break, and Spring break. If a student in “Required” Housing fails to select a meal plan, the University will select a default meal plan. The Student will be charged each semester for a meal plan selection. Renewal is not automatic for commuter students. They must select/purchase their meal plan each semester.

Declining balance that is part of a meal plan (plans A, B, C, D, E and H) does NOT carry over to future semesters. Meal plans (billed through the Office of Student Accounts) that consist of declining balance only (plans F, G, K) do carry balances over to future semesters through the last summer session of the academic year in which they were purchased. Only students currently enrolled at UNC Charlotte may access accounts. For a detailed list and descriptions of meal plans and their current pricing, please visit www.auxiliary.uncc.edu/dining/mealplans.html. 

An “Optional” Dining Account may be used to supplement a meal plan. It is not billable through Student Accounts but can be purchased separately through the Meal Plans and 49er Card Office (located in Room 175, Auxiliary Services Building) and, the Dining Services Office/I.D. Office (located in the Cone University Center) by using cash, check, or credit card. This account may be used for food purchased in all dining and convenience store locations. Purchases are not taxed. The Optional Dining Account carries over indefinitely as long as there is not more than six months of inactivity on the account. For details, please visit www.auxiliary.uncc.edu/dining/oda.html. 

Students may change the meal plan selected during the registration period, which lasts through the first day of classes. After the first day of classes, students living in required housing (high-rises and suites) will be given one additional opportunity to change their meal plan during the scheduled two-day housing room change period. Any changes to meal plans will result in pro-rated fees. After the two-day room change period, no other meal plan changes may be made for the current semester (unless the student moves to an apartment).

Students living in on-campus apartments and off-campus may make meal plan changes and cancellations until Fall break for the Fall semester and until Spring break for the Spring semester. Meal plan rates will be pro-rated. No meal plan changes or cancellations may occur after Fall/Spring breaks. This also applies to students who have moved from required housing to apartments during the semester. The first change in meal plans will not incur an administrative processing fee. Subsequent changes in meal plans will incur an additional $25 administrative processing fee for each occurrence. All changes to meal plans or cancellations of the dining service contract must be submitted to the Meal Plans and 49er Card Office (located in room 175 Auxiliary Services Building).

The student identification card can only be used by the student to whom it was issued. Misuse of the identification card will result in disciplinary action. There will be $10 fee to replace lost/stolen identification cards.

EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

LIBRARY

The J. Murrey Atkins Library, located near the center of campus, is a beautiful state-of-the-art facility, physically housing over 1,046,000 bound books and serving as a repository of unique Special Collections materials and artwork. It is the largest research library in the Southern Piedmont region with accredited membership in ASERL (the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries). The Charles C. Hight Architecture Library was officially designated as a branch of Atkins in the 07/08 Academic year. Focusing primarily on 20th and 21st century architectural design, this library holds an array of resources, such as books, audio visuals, periodicals, Fifth Year and Graduate Thesis documents, materials, drawings, and plans.

Atkins Library continues to thrive technologically, offering free access to over 38,700 electronic journals, 64,000 electronic books, wireless network access from the Ground to Third floors, almost 200 public computer workstations and over 50 wireless laptops available to use in and out of the building. The Library also offers Atkins Express, an online book/article retrieval and delivery service offered for students, faculty, and staff, saving patrons precious time for study and research.

Our expert Research Librarians are available to students and faculty via chat, email, phone and even research consultation meetings for deeper, subject-related study. Hundreds of Instructional Class Sessions are taught to students annually, empowering them with improved information literacy and research skills. There are also eleven group study rooms available, with over 12,000 bookings just last year, encouraging the collaborative study that is increasingly necessary with our growing academic programs.

COMPUTING

Information and Technology Services (ITS) manages the campus voice and data networks, centralized servers, University-owned computers, operating systems, and software to support teaching and learning, research and business processes. The campus has a robust data network that connects over 600 servers and approximately 6000 computers. Fifty percent of the campus features wireless network access. ITS maintains and supports the University’s core administrative systems, performs application development, and administers and supports all of the University’s central server resources. ITS provides development, consulting, and support services for the University web presence, its portal (49er Express), the University’s e-learning system, and facilities and services in support of the University’s research mission.

Student Computing is a unit within Information and Technology Services that works to ensure that students have access to computer equipment, software, and information needed to support their general academic efforts at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Student Computing manages the general-use computer labs in the Barnard building which are open 24/7. The labs house over 130 Internet-connected computers which provide access to email, network disk space, and a variety of applications. All current students are provided an email account, 49er Express account, and Novell account for their use while they are enrolled in classes at UNC Charlotte. Student Computing provides technical support through the Student Computing Help Center in Barnard, an online helpdesk tool located at http://helpdesk.uncc.edu, and via phone at 704-687-6400. Visit http://labs.uncc.edu for more information.

WRITING

The mission of the Writing Resources Center (WRC) is multi-faceted. Based on the view that knowing and learning are fundamentally social, the WRC fosters an environment of active, collaborative learning outside the classroom. Its primary purpose is to provide one-to-one writing instruction to students from first-year to graduate in any discipline. Its goal is not to "fix" papers, but to teach students to become more effective writers.

The Center includes computing facilities that integrate word processing, research, tutoring, and assistive technologies. Online tutoring extends writing instruction beyond daytime hours to serve nontraditional and distance education students. In addition to its web-based resources, the WRC houses a variety of writing-related instructional materials.

Consultation is available, on a limited basis, to support faculty in teaching writing across the curriculum. WRC staff give presentations and host workshops on topics such as avoiding plagiarism, documenting sources, peer response, and revision strategies. 


The WRC also has an educational mission for its writing assistants. Staffed by undergraduate and graduate students from a variety of disciplines, the WRC offers teaching experience and leadership opportunities to tutors, many of them future educators, as they develop their own writing abilities and interpersonal skills. Both novice and experienced writing assistants participate in ongoing professional development in theory, research, and practice of writing pedagogy. Integral to that training, the WRC is a rich site for literacy research for students and faculty alike. 



As a university-wide service invested in the teaching and learning of writing in every discipline, the WRC coordinates its efforts with other academic support services. The Center participates in University policy-making concerning writing and joins in the design and implementation of campus writing initiatives.

Tutorials begin on the hour and last for 45 minutes. Students may make appointments in advance. Walk-in consultations are available too. Faculty may also make student referrals to the WRC. In addition to its Fretwell 220 location, the WRC has a satellite location, Atkins Library109.

The Writing Project (WP) focuses on developing K-12 writing teachers using three interconnected components that are based on the National Writing Project model: 1) the summer invitational institute, 2) continuity programs for teacher consultants in the project, and 3) inservice programs with local school districts. The WP offers inservice teacher education as well as opportunities for K-12 teachers to conduct classroom-based research. Working in conjunction with the College of Education, the WP provides leadership in educating teachers as writers and teachers of writing.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

The Office of Continuing Education, Distance Education/Extension, and Summer Programs. Recognizing that learning must be a lifelong activity, the University provides opportunities for adults to pursue their continuing education through degree-related studies and special non-credit programs.

Non-credit short courses, seminars, workshops, and conferences for adults are offered through Continuing Education. Specific programs are provided each year for the continuing professional education of accountants, managers and project managers in the public and private sectors, engineers, certified financial planners, human resource professionals, training and development specialists, paralegals, fire and rescue professionals, emergency medical specialists, and medical office and coding administrators. The Office offers a variety courses to prepare individuals to sit for various exams, including the SAT, GRE, GMAT, and LSAT. The Office’s Corporate Training staff design and deliver programs in-house to serve the employees of specific companies and organizations. The Office of Continuing Education is located at the Ben Craig Center and can be contacted at 704-687-8900.

Through Distance Education/Extension, courses for academic credit are offered at off-campus sites and via the Internet to serve citizens who live beyond easy commuting distance of the campus. Options for delivery include sending a UNC Charlotte faculty member to an off-campus location to teach a course in person, using one of two state-wide interactive video networks to link a UNC Charlotte faculty member on the campus in Charlotte with students attending class at remote locations throughout the state, and delivering courses online via the Internet. The Office of Distance Education is located in 1017 Colvard and can be contacted at 704-687-2222.

During the summer, the office schedules a variety of credit and non-credit programs, including academic enrichment camps for youth, on the campus, at approved off-campus sites, and via the Internet. The Office of Summer Programs is located in the former Alumni House and can be contacted at 704-687-4481.

Please visit www.ceesp.uncc.edu for specific information about the programs offered.

The Office of Adult Students and Evening Services (OASES) serves as a principal resource for nontraditional students. Services include general education advising, referrals, and assistance with forms and parking requests. Students can pick up and/or drop off information to be delivered on campus. OASES offers extended hours to serve students in Barnard 106 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Programs include orientation sessions, adult student scholarships, the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society, the Non-Traditional Student Organization (NTSO), the Adult Mentoring Program for Students (AMPS), and the 49er Finish Program. Visit www.oases.uncc.edu or call 704-687-2596 for more detailed information.

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

The UNC Charlotte Experimental Ecological Reserve is a 100 acre tract of land set aside on campus by the UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees as a permanent ecological reserve for use as an outdoor classroom and laboratory. The reserve includes a floodplain forest, pine stands, mixed pine-hardwood forest, and a relatively undisturbed 10-acre watershed of oak-hickory forest.

The UNC Charlotte Rocky River Wildlife Refuge is a 46 acre natural area located east of Charlotte in Stanly County. Its purpose is to preserve the natural features of the area and allow research and field trips to study the plants and animals within the North Carolina slate belt formation.

The UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens, located on campus, consist of the McMillan Greenhouse, the 7-acre Van Landingham Glen, and the 3-acre Susie Harwood Garden. The mission of the gardens is to promote the knowledge and appreciation of plants for educational, environmental, and aesthetic purposes. The gardens were begun in 1966 by biology professor emeritus, Herbert Hechenbleikner to serve as a living classroom and have evolved into a multifaceted campus and public resource. Collections include orchids, carnivorous plants, succulents, native plants, tropicals, and hardy outdoor plants. The outdoor gardens are open seven days a week, and the greenhouse is open Monday through Saturday, 10-3 and Sundays 1-4. Students and the public are invited to visit, free of charge. More information can be found online at http://gardens.uncc.edu.

Recycling services are coordinated by the Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling (704-687-2137) within Facilities Management. The University's recycling program, initiated by students in 1990, currently recycles 31% of the solid waste generated on campus, including approximately 40 different materials. Residence halls are equipped with outdoor recycling centers, recycling containers in trash rooms or lobbies, and a small recycling bin in each room. Toner cartridges, aluminum cans, plastic and glass bottles, computer paper, newspapers, magazines, and cardboard can be recycled at the residence halls. In addition to the above materials, Styrofoam peanuts, transparencies, and hard and soft back books can be recycled in the academic and administrative areas.

REMEMBER: After you fill your recycling bin provided to you in your room, you need to bring your recyclables to the recycling container located in your common area.

The recycling program provides educational sessions for students, faculty, and staff. The program coordinates and sponsors the annual UNC Charlotte Earth Day Environment Festival and the biannual Campus Clean-Ups along with various educational programs throughout the year. The Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling offers students a chance to actively embrace their environmental responsibilities and to demonstrate concerns through volunteer and employment opportunities. To volunteer, contact the environmental educator at 704-687-4283.

These and other waste reduction and recycling programs help UNC Charlotte in its effort to meet North Carolina's 40% waste reduction goal. For more information about UNC Charlotte’s waste reduction and recycling activities, view the website at www.uncc.edu/recycling or call the office at 704-687-4283 or 704-687-3890.

HEALTH & WELL-BEING SERVICES

STUDENT HEALTH CENTER

The Student Health Center’s mission is to promote healthy students by providing health care, education and outreach services. It provides primary medical care, disease prevention, health education, wellness promotion, and various specialty services, including allergy injections, immunizations, gynecology, physical therapy, and HIV screening to all registered UNC Charlotte students. The Student Health Center also provides a full-time psychiatrist and a registered dietician. The Student Health Center is staffed by a team of physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners. The pharmacy fills prescriptions from outside physicians as well as the Center’s own doctors.

Appointments are strongly recommended; this eliminates long waits and assists students in scheduling medical services around class schedules.

Seriously ill students and emergencies are referred to local hospitals or other appropriate medical facilities.

The Student Health Center also provides after hours nursing advice for the students at UNC Charlotte when the Student Health Center is not open including weekends and holidays.

The student health fee covers many of the costs for services. Additional fees are charged for x-ray, pharmacy, laboratory, and gynecology services, injections, and special procedures. Fees for service may be paid by cash, check, credit card, or transferred to the student's University account. Fees are subject to change. For more information, visit the Student Health Center website or call 704-687-4700.

Most students are required to either demonstrate proof of insurance or to purchase a University Student Health Insurance Plan. Full details may be found online at www.studenthealth.uncc.edu. 

COUNSELING CENTER

The Counseling Center at UNC Charlotte supports the academic, personal, and interpersonal development of UNC Charlotte students by providing short-term individual and group counseling; consultation for faculty, staff, parents, and students; and educational programs to the campus community. Consistent with the academic mission of the University, the Center also serves as a training site for graduate students in psychology and counseling, and encourages scholarly activity and professional development of staff.

Information shared by student clients is confidential in accordance with guidelines established by the American Psychological Association and the laws of the state of North Carolina. All currently enrolled students are eligible for an initial assessment. This first session helps both the student and counselor decide how Counseling Center services might best serve a student’s needs. These services may consist of individual or group counseling at the Counseling Center or a referral to an on-campus or off-campus service.

Counseling is provided to help a person cope with difficult situations and conflicts; improve interpersonal relationships; adjust to college and other life transitions; and overcome specific psychological difficulties such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and substance abuse. Groups are offered each semester, some of which are short-term structured groups that address a particular theme (such as anxiety reduction). Other groups are ongoing and unstructured.

Outreach and consultation are important services provided by the Counseling Center. Staff members are available to consult with faculty, staff, parents, and students on topics such as enhancing communication, improving the learning environment, and helping a particular student with a problem. Outreach activities, usually focusing on some aspect of personal, interpersonal, or group development, include programs conducted outside the Counseling Center to meet the needs of a group or organization.

Initial counseling appointments may be arranged by visiting the Counseling Center at 158 Atkins or by calling the Center at 704-687-2105. More information about the Counseling Center and its services can be obtained by visiting the website at www.counselingcenter.uncc.edu.

HOUSING AND RESIDENCE LIFE

University residence halls, suites, and apartments offer students a variety of living arrangements. Four high-rise residence halls house a combination of either two students in each room or single rooms. Each room is equipped with dressers, study desks, chairs, and closets or wardrobes. Each floor has a central lounge, plus study and seminar rooms. Two elevators service each air-conditioned building. Each building also contains an office for the full-time professional staff (Residence Coordinator), student mail boxes, a vending area, a lounge, and a laundry room. A meal service contract is required in the high-rise residence halls.

In the majority of suite housing, two students share a double room and four students share a bath and a den area. A very limited number of suites are available in Laurel Hall that house either two or four students but all in private bedrooms. Charles F. Lynch Hall for freshman students in Learning Communities houses four students in either single or double bedrooms. All buildings housing the suite communities also require a meal service contract, except Laurel Hall.

On-campus apartments offer students a more private living environment and require a more self-reliant lifestyle. Each apartment is a four-bedroom unit, with one student assigned to each bedroom. The four students share a bathroom area and kitchen complete with appliances and a living/dining space. A meal plan is optional, allowing students the experience of buying and preparing their own food, if they so desire.

Greek Village houses up to fourteen fraternities and sororities. Each house has a chapter room and kitchen for common use and holds 28 or 14 members.

For information about summer housing, please contact the Housing and Residence Life Office.

Students who plan to live on campus should apply as soon as possible, as assignments are made according to a combination of factors including: date of application, community preferences, roommate requests, space availability, class year, and building/room preferences. Application for housing may be made online at www.housing.uncc.edu following the student’s admission to the University. For new students applying effective Fall 2009, a $200 deposit is required with the application. All current residential students are grandfathered in at the deposit rate of $100.

Housing facilities designed specifically for students in wheelchairs are available. Wheelchair students who receive confirmation of residential space have priority in assignment to these facilities as long as the University is able to offer space. It is extremely important that the housing application is received before all space is committed so that this priority for assignment to appropriate facilities can be exercised. Students utilizing wheelchairs may be considered for priority status on the waiting list on the basis of (1) the date of application and (2) the degree of utilization of wheelchair-equipped facilities as compared to the proportion of wheelchair students who apply.

Assignment to a disability accessible housing space requires documentation of the disability and special needs in accommodations by the Office of Disability Services. Documentation must be provided to Disability Services when the housing application is submitted and no later than June 1. The University does not assume any responsibility for the provision of attendants for students with disabilities. Such arrangements are entirely the responsibility of the individual student and should be established well in advance of the time the services are to begin.

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

The Office of International Programs (OIP) assists the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and the surrounding community in responding to the numerous responsibilities and emerging opportunities created by an increasingly interdependent world. On campus, it seeks to make international understanding and global awareness a fundamental part of the curriculum and an integral part of campus programming.

Various Campus Events are sponsored independently and in cooperation with other departments and agencies on campus. They include the annual International Festival, International Education Week, Study Abroad fairs, International Women’s Day, International Education awards for faculty and students, and activities associated with the Mu chapter of Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars.

Public Service. The Office of International Programs seeks to initiate and respond to the international needs and interests of the community. Current programs include: 1) Community Forums – symposia on topics of current international interest; 2) Great Decisions – an annual series of lecture/discussions during the months of February and March on key policy issues; and 3) Cross-Cultural training – individually designed workshops that focus on appreciation for other cultures and development of skills in effective communications across cultures.

The Office of International Programs serves as a center of leadership and responsibility for the international role and mission of the University. It is comprised of related units that function together towards creating an international perspective in all facets of campus development. OIP includes the Office of Education Abroad, the International Student and Scholar Office, the English Language Training Institute, and Intercultural Outreach Programs. In addition, OIP is closely affiliated with the World Affairs Council of Charlotte.

The Office of Education Abroad (OEA) at UNC Charlotte is committed to providing quality, cost-effective educational opportunities for students to enhance their learning in an experiential environment abroad and to supporting faculty initiatives in creating such programs to supplement their curriculum objectives.

Students are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to have an educational experience through study or experiential learning abroad. OEA develops and maintains exchange relationships in multiple countries throughout the world and is an active member of the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) which allows students access to additional programs from a worldwide framework of exchanges. Students have the option of year-long, semester, summer or short-term programs.

In addition to making progress toward their degree requirements, students have the opportunity to test theoretical principles in real-time, challenge their assumptions about different cultures and explore their own relationship with the global landscape.

The International Student/Scholar Office (ISSO) provides information, services, and programs that help international students and visiting scholars achieve their individual educational and personal goals and also fosters an appreciation for a culturally diverse learning environment in the larger UNC Charlotte community.

Over 800 non-immigrant international students representing over eighty countries around the world study at UNC Charlotte. They are supported through orientation programming, individual advising and assistance with immigration document processing. Programs to encourage international student and U.S. American student interaction are also supported through ISSO. These include an International Coffee Hour, Friendship and Culture Exchange Program and the International Club at UNC Charlotte.

The English Language Training Institute (ELTI), established in 1978, prepares international students for academic study at UNC Charlotte or other U.S. colleges and universities by introducing and refining the English language and cultural adaptation skills the students will need to succeed in their academic careers.

ELTI offers seven levels of English language instruction to over 100 students from more than 20 countries each semester. In addition to 20-24 hours of class each week, students visit academic classes. meet with U.S. conversation partners, and tour area schools and sites of cultural interest. On average, students stay for a least two semesters.

Intercultural Outreach Programs (IOP) initiates a wide array of academic and professional development programs in conjunction with an intensive and structured immersion experience in American culture and language for international groups who wish to achieve peak performance in the international arena.

IOP also facilitates specialized faculty development programs and practical training for international interns. Each experience is custom-designed and integrated with experiential learning activities; cultural, social and recreational events; as well as opportunities for interaction with the Charlotte and University communities.

Programs for domestic groups are also initiated and administered through IOP. Professionals who wish to go abroad may broaden their global perspective and enhance their professional skills through coordinated opportunities to exchange ideas and develop cross-cultural relationships with colleagues in other countries; expand their professional knowledge, and, see their own profession from a different perspective. Professional development is also provided for local corporations with multicultural work forces at home and/or operations abroad.

The World Affairs Council of Charlotte (WACC) was founded in 1983 as an outreach program of UNC Charlotte and its Office of International Programs. By serving as a regional center for education and discussion of world affairs, WACC seeks to provide leadership for global thinking, believing that a broad perspective is necessary for effective competition in the global economy and for responsible citizenship in an increasingly interdependent political world. The WACC recruits internationally renowned speakers to address topics ranging from economics to globalization to foreign policy. This past year’s speakers included: Pulitzer-Prize winner Tim Weiner; U.S. Senior Senator Chuck Hagel; and Russian expert Dr. Marshall Goldman.

WACC educational outreach programs have directly benefited over 700 teachers and almost 70,000 students. WACC is a non-profit, non-partisan organization supported by funding from individual and corporate member dues, foundations, and contributions.

OUT IN THE COMMUNITY

The University recognizes that its mission reaches beyond the borders of the campus to the surrounding region and the state. The University touches many facets of community life and serves as a catalyst for development of a regional approach to solving problems in education, economic development, transportation, the environment, cultural amenities, and the quality of life. Faculty, staff, and students have made a significant impact on the region through research, historic preservation, planning, the arts and literature, and the delivery of government and social services.

The Office of Alumni Affairs, located in the Harris Alumni Center at Johnson Glen, serves as the liaison between the University and the alumni. Some of the most rewarding experiences of University life begin at graduation when former students enter the Alumni Association. Alumni are an essential part of our University and are among the University’s most valued supporters. Responsibility for strengthening and maintaining the relationship between the University and its alumni is vested in Alumni Affairs.

Programs of the Alumni Association include the regional, local, special interest and collegiate chapters, homecoming activities, networking socials, athletic support, and sponsorship of the Student Alumni Ambassadors.

The Office seeks to maintain lifelong contact with all graduates. Graduates are encouraged to become active in the Alumni Association and to notify the Office of Alumni Affairs of address changes, employment information, and other significant events, such as marriages, births and honors. Today, UNC Charlotte boasts more than 80,000 living alumni and adds 4,500 to 5,000 new alumni each year. We are a non-dues paying organization, and the only requirement for membership is that you be an alumnus of the University.

More information about and for alumni (including benefits) can be found online at www.unccharlottealumni.org. 

The Office of University Development. Known traditionally as a "state-supported institution," UNC Charlotte is more accurately a "state-assisted institution," as the University depends on non-state resources for more than half of its operating needs. Philanthropy is critically important, providing the critical margin of excellence so that the University can fulfill its threefold mission of education, research and public service.

The Office of University Development plans and implements the private fund-raising and related efforts of the University and the Foundation of The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Inc. Its functions include annual giving, gift planning, major gifts, corporate and foundation relations, gift processing, alumni/donor records, research, donor stewardship, prospect coordination and clearance, and campus-wide development services.

The Foundation of The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Inc. is the 501(c)(3) public charity, incorporated in 1965 to benefit UNC Charlotte through asset management and fund raising. University employees in the Office of University Development in the Division of Development and Alumni Affairs and in the Office of Sponsored Programs in the Division of Business Affairs perform the fund-raising and business functions of the Foundation, respectively. In exchange, the Foundation transfers funds to UNC Charlotte to enhance its teaching, research, and service missions.

Public Relations is the official communications channel through which the University disseminates information to its various publics. The office has three major functions: (1) external media relations; (2) internal communications; (3) official University publications that are distributed to off-campus audiences; and (4) executive communications for the chancellor and vice chancellor for university relations and community affairs. Te office works with media outlets throughout the country on news and feature coverage about University programs and its people. Additionally, the staff writes and distributes tip sheets and news releases about campus activities, as well as faculty and student achievements. The office produces a weekly newsletter, Campus News, to inform faculty and staff about campus activities; publishes the official university magazine, UNC Charlotte, which is distributed to alumni and friends of the University, and contributes writing and editing for publications related to special events.

Broadcast Communications provides media production services to the University community, as well as distance education and videoconferencing support. In addition, this department operates or supplies content to a variety of distribution outlets through sources such as Time Warner Cable, AT&T U-verse, ITunesU, Facebook, YouTube and the UNC Charlotte main website. Furthermore, the staff produces several ongoing series on a variety of topics such as: “Alumni Today,“ a program that focuses on the current activities of Alumni and how their UNC Charlotte education still impacts their lives today; “The 49ers Insider,” a weekly program that brings you interviews, highlights, special features and the schedule of events of all 16 teams in the Charlotte 49ers Department of Athletics; “Campus Conversations,” a program that highlights the wide variety of programs, activities and events at UNC Charlotte; “Faculty Research,” a show designed to let you hear from the researchers themselves as they describe current and future projects; and “Medicine/Business & Society,” two related series that discuss various topics in the fields of medical ethics and business ethics that affect everyone.

PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION

Parking and Transportation Services (PaTS) is charged with the responsibility of providing parking and transportation service for UNC Charlotte students, faculty, staff and visitors.

The PaTS office is located in the Facilities Operations/Parking Services Building (#23 on the campus map). All campus parking requires the purchase and display of a University parking permit or payment at meters or in the visitor decks. Parking permits may be purchased online at www.parking.uncc.edu.  Permits do not guarantee proximity parking, nor do they reserve a specific parking space in any lot or deck.

Night Permits for evening-only students are available by the semester or by the year. In addition, a limited number of reduced fee permits are available for commuter students and staff who are willing to park in a remote lot (6A) and utilize the free Campus Shuttle Transportation.

Copies of the Campus Parking Rules and Information are available from the Parking and Transportation Services office and on their web pages. For information on fees for motor vehicle registration and parking, see the section on Financial Information in this Catalog.

Campus Shuttle Transportation is available Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., when classes are in session. Shuttle buses are provided by PaTS through the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) and run to and around all main areas of campus, providing safe, reliable, ADA compliant transportation. Schedules and maps are available online at www.parking.uncc.edu. For additional information, please contact the PaTS Office at 704-687-4285.

SafeRide is a new service provided by Parking and Transportation Services that operates whenever the University is open. SafeRide’s purpose is two-fold:

• Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., SafeRide provides service throughout the inner core of campus for persons with temporary and permanent mobility disabilities. Riders must register for the service through the Office of Disability Services at 704-687-4355. Forms are available on the SafeRide Web site at www.saferide.uncc.edu and at the Office of Disability Services or the PaTS Office.

• Monday through Sunday 4:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., SafeRide provides an ADA accessible safety escort service, in conjunction with the Campus Shuttle Transportation Service. SafeRide departs from the South side of the Atkins Library on the hour and half-hour, serving academic buildings, housing areas, parking lots and parking decks within the UNC Charlotte Campus. SafeRide evening service requests are made by calling Campus Police dispatch at 704-687-2200.

The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) provides bus transportation to and from campus via route 11U (from the Uptown transportation center and North Tryon Street) and route 29 (with service to Eastland Mall, Barrington/Shamrock Drive areas, Sharon Amity, Cotswold Mall to SouthPark Mall). Service is provided on a regular schedule, connecting with established routes throughout the city. Brochures containing detailed information regarding routes, schedules and fees may be obtained in the Parking and Transportation Services Office, or by calling the Charlotte Transit Authority at 704- 336-3366. Fees are set by Charlotte Transit and are subject to change. Maps for CATS can be found online at: www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS. 

PERFORMING ARTS

Created in 1990, the Departments of Dance, Music, and Theatre serve the educational needs of students and the cultural needs of Charlotte and the University Community. It is the mission of these three departments to prepare students for arts- related fields by integrating excellence in instruction and artistic creativity within a broad professional landscape. Thus, they seek to define themselves as a cultural laboratory which engages the university, the community of scholars, the performing arts industry, and the world.

Robinson Hall for the Performing Arts is home to the Departments of Dance, Music, and Theatre at UNC Charlotte. Opened in November 2004, the facility serves as both the University’s premiere performing arts venue and a pre-professional training ground for students. Throughout the academic year, student productions and guest artist performances offer a variety of theatre, dance, choral music, bands, and jazz concerts.

Within Robinson Hall are the Anne R. Belk Theater and the Lab Theater. The main stage space, the Anne R. Belk Theater, is a proscenium-style house which seats 325. Up to forty-five different performance events can take place in the theater over the course of an academic year. The theater’s orchestra, mezzanine, and box seating offers patrons an environment that is both intimate and elegant. The flexible Lab Theater space can accommodate 90 to 125 patrons for a unique theatrical experience.

The productions and concerts at Robinson Hall are student productions, with the exception of the guest artist series. With their focus on educating future actors, directors, playwrights, musicians, dancers, technicians, and composers, the departments are committed to allowing students as many performance, design, conducting, directing, and choreographing opportunities as possible.

For information and details on current and upcoming performances, please visit www.performances.uncc.edu. 

PREPARATION FOR PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS

Students may begin preparation at UNC Charlotte for a number of professional careers. Depending upon the professional school's requirements, the student may wish to take a degree at UNC Charlotte or to transfer after one, two, or three years.

Students who plan to enter a professional school is advised to plan their program of study so that general requirements for the bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree are met in addition to the requirements for the professional program being considered. Students planning to attend a professional school should inform their advisor of their plans. Students should become familiar with the requirements of the school that he/she plans to attend. That school, not UNC Charlotte, will determine which UNC Charlotte credits will be accepted for transfer.

Graduate and professional school entrance requires an extensive commitment and focused career choice. Certain careers required an advanced degree, and the University Career Center (UCC) can help students identify what kind of graduate study will best prepare them for the specific career of interest. In addition, the career resource collection in the office contains information on preparing for the professional exams, backgrounds on the schools offering programs, and in-depth career information. Résumé critique sessions and mock interviews offered by the Center can also be geared toward graduate school admissions, based on student need. The UCC hosts a Career Expo which includes several graduate and professional school representatives seeking to attract UNC Charlotte students. Lastly, the UCC maintains lists of what graduate and professional schools past graduates have been admitted to or attended.

It is important to note that there are more application requirements for professional/graduate schools than for undergraduate schools. Application is often an extensive and in-depth process. The UCC can help you plan the applications and career development processes, which includes prior exploration of medicine, law, and various careers requiring advanced degrees through job shadowing, self assessment, career research, and internships.

The Office of Continuing Education currently offers fee-based programs that help students prepare to take the GRE, GMAT, and LSAT exams.

Chemical Engineering. Students seeking a program in chemical engineering should consult the Department of Chemistry for advice concerning available options. However, those students wishing to obtain the Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering degree may do so by transferring to North Carolina State University after spending two years at UNC Charlotte. To be eligible for such transfer, the student must meet the admissions requirements for transfer at North Carolina State University. After transfer, an additional two years normally will be required for the degree.

Law. The University suggests that the student planning to enter law school consider courses in such areas as accounting, business administration, business law, communications, criminal justice, debating, drama, economics, English literature and composition, finance, history, logic and ethics, mathematics, modern languages, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology, and statistics. Preparation should include comprehension of and expression in words, the development of a critical understanding of human institutions and values, the generation of a creative power in thinking, and a working knowledge of the use of the computer in modern society. Thus, any of a number of majors, with wisely selected electives, might provide the broad educational background needed.

Pre-Law Society. The UNC Charlotte Pre-Law Society is a student pre-law organization. The Society carries on a large number of activities designed to help its members decide whether they wish to attend law school: providing sessions with pre-law advisors and attorneys; taking field trips to pre-law conferences, law schools, law offices and courts; having a guest speaker program on legal and judicial topics; and working on preparations for the LSAT. Membership in the Society is open to all UNC Charlotte students, regardless of major or year at the University. For more information, please visit www.sco.uncc.edu/prelaw.

Medical Technology. The University, through affiliation with several schools of medical technology, offers programs leading to baccalaureate degrees in biology and chemistry, with training in medical technology. Students interested in this four-year program should contact the Departments of Biology and Chemistry for advising.

Pre-Health Professions. UNC Charlotte offers pre-professional preparation for undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate students interested in pursuing a career in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, optometry, physician assistant, physical therapy, podiatry and other healthcare careers. Opportunities and services available to students include:

• Strong academic preparation in the required prerequisite “core” of classes
• Broad selection of recommended classes beyond the “core”
• Pre-Health Professions Advising for academic and nonacademic requirements for professional school admissions
• Assistance with the application process, including essay preparation and interview coaching
• Pre-Professional Faculty Evaluation Committee that prepares composite recommendation letters on the student’s behalf
• Opportunities to become involved in research
• Student clubs that offer guest speakers, community service opportunities, and support

Like most universities, UNC Charlotte does not offer a dedicated pre-health “track” or “program.” Students must select a major and are responsible for completing the prerequisites for their chosen professional school in addition to courses for their major. There is no requirement to major in science, but strong preparation in science and math must be demonstrated, regardless of the major. The Pre-Health Advisor will assist the student with identifying the appropriate pre-professional courses and formulating a timeline for their completion.

All pre-health students are encouraged to consult with the Pre-Health Advisor to plan and review their course of study and other requirements necessary for admission into professional schools. Additional information may be found online at www.honorscollege.uncc.edu, including prerequisite course lists for various professions.

Prerequisite Core Classes. The basic minimum requirements for entrance to most health professions schools are as follows:

Please note that these are the common minimum requirements; additional courses may be required at the discretion of the professional school. Most students will need additional coursework and healthcare-related extracurricular activities to be competitive for admission. Community service is also highly desirable.

Faculty Evaluation Committee for the Pre-Health Professions. The UNC Charlotte Pre-Health Professions Faculty Evaluation Committee consists of faculty members from the University and serves as the main recommending body for UNC Charlotte students seeking entrance to health professions schools. In order to obtain a recommendation from the committee, the student must schedule an appointment with the Pre-Health Professions Advising Office during Spring of the year in which applications are being made.

Pre-Health Student Clubs
Allied Health Club. Students interested in health-related careers are encouraged to join the Allied Health Club. The organization sponsors speakers, volunteer opportunities in local hospitals, and trips to see admissions officers and teaching programs in schools throughout the region. Please see www.bioweb.uncc.edu/ahc for more information.

American Medical Students Association. Students may join AMSA for additional contact with premedical peers. AMSA hosts speakers and provides information about requirements, activities, and admission to medical schools. Community service activities are also part of AMSA’s mission. Information about this organization can be found online at www.bioweb.uncc.edu/amsa. 

Pre-Pharmacy Student Association. The UNC Charlotte Pre-Pharmacy Student Association is a student organization of undergraduates and post-baccalaureate students interested in attending pharmacy school. The club provides a number of different activities to educate their members about the field of pharmacy and steps needed to gain admission to pharmacy schools. They also perform a variety of volunteer duties, visit pharmacy schools and bring in representatives of various pharmacy schools in the region to speak to their members. Information on this organization can be found at the club’s website at www.sco.uncc.edu/prepharmacy. 

Undergraduate Students National Dental Association (Pre-Dental Club). The club hosts speakers and provides information for pre-dental students. Community service activities are performed each semester. Contact predental@uncc.edu for more information.

RESEARCH

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Federal Relations provides direction and leadership for the development of research and creative activity at the University and the infrastructure that supports those activities. The Vice Chancellor coordinates federal and congressional relations and oversees five support offices: the Office of Proposal Development, the Office of Research Services, the Office of Technology Transfer, the University Vivarium, and the Small Business and Technology Development Center.

The Office of Proposal Development (OPD) works closely with faculty and funding agencies to identify opportunities for proposal development, facilitate the formation of proposal teams, and provide a wide range of services to help faculty achieve their research goals, consultation on writing and funding strategies, and proposal editing.

The Office of Research Services (ORS) provides services for the review and submission of proposals to funding agencies, including the interpretation of guidelines, preparation of budgets, and mailing and tracking of proposals, as well as post-award management support. ORS coordinates research-support efforts with college research officers and is responsible for federal compliance.

The Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) provides services for the review, protection, and management of University-based intellectual property, and commercializes intellectual property through licensing services. OTT builds and maintains strategic partnerships with local and state-based economic development agencies; assists and mentors faculty and students with new business start-ups; provides outreach services in the areas of entrepreneurship, new business creation, intellectual property management, and venture capital financing; and acts as a conduit to industry for sponsored research and technology commercialization.

The Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) is one of 17 University-affiliated offices of The University of North Carolina’s business and technology extension service and is operated in partnership with the US Small Business Administration. SBTDC specialists provide management counseling and educational services to small and mid-sized businesses and also help business owners and managers, economic and community development organizations, education institutions and not-for-profit organizations develop strategies and action plans to gain competitive advantage. The SBTDC helps clients successfully compete for federal, state, and local government contracts; provides assistance with export financing; and provides research and marketing support services, primary research on small business needs and economic impact, and special projects such as small business incubator feasibility studies.

The Charlotte Research Institute (CRI) is the portal for business-university partnerships at UNC Charlotte. Regionally, CRI works with the community and the campus to accelerate technology commercialization and the growth of entrepreneurial ventures. Globally, CRI develops intellectual capital through collaborations with industry, government and academia. New business and research ventures, university partnerships with regional and national enterprises, and CRI spin-off companies all draw research and businesses to the region and spur economic growth.

Innovation and entrepreneurship are strongly supported by CRI’s Ben Craig Center business incubator (BCC). The incubator program, business advisory services, and education events offered by the BCC support dozens of companies each year. BCC focuses on community businesses and University startups that benefit most directly from proximity to expertise, services, and equipment that only the BCC and the University can provide. In addition, the Small Business and Technology Development Center located at Ben Craig Center supports hundreds of small businesses each year.

Science and engineering ventures at CRI are driven by the internationally known results of its research centers in Precision Metrology, eBusiness Technology, and Optoelectronics. CRI’s research vision continues to grow with emerging research initiatives that include bioinformatics, biomedical engineering systems, energy production and infrastructure, information security, motorsports and automotive engineering, nanoscale science, and translational research. With facilities on the Charlotte Research Institute Campus and at the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis, CRI helps companies initiate new partnerships at UNC Charlotte and offers a variety of opportunities to engage talented faculty and make use of specialized resources available at UNC Charlotte.

The Center for Precision Metrology is focused on precision engineering and measurement including research in manufacturing processes and quality assurance for mechanical parts to within a millionth of a meter. New state-of-the-art facilities include clean rooms and multiple metrology labs. Research efforts have included high-speed machining, specialized sensors, aerospace industry applications, and have attracted companies such as Caterpillar, Mitutoyo, and Boeing for collaboration. The center also includes a group focused on motorsports and automotive research with collaborative partnerships with area race teams and NASCAR. The center has been recognized as a National Science Foundation Center of Excellence in New Industry Collaboration and in Nanoscale Science and Engineering.

The Center for eBusiness Technology collaborates with Bank of America, Wachovia, and other financial institutions to solve industry issues pertaining to technology applications. These applications include: information privacy and security, intelligent data analysis, systems integration, information visualization, as well as emerging research in Bioinformatics, Visual Analytics, and Homeland Security. The center has the distinction of being a “National Security Agency Center for Information Assurance Education.” Recently, the Center also was funded as a Regional Visualization and Analytics Center by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The Center for Optoelectronics and Optical Communications includes research areas in: design and fabrication of photonic devices, integrated optical circuitry, assembly and packaging of optical systems, optical materials, methods for precision optical metrology, and optical imaging and inverse methods for wave front synthesis. The center has successfully allied with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Duke University, The Carolinas MicroOptics Triangle, and the North Carolina Photonics Consortium. A respected leader in the discipline, the center has continuing support from the Defense Advancement Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

The Bioinformatics Research Center conducts multi-disciplinary research involving the physical and life sciences, computer science, and mathematics and statistics with specific focus in the areas of functional genomics, statistical genetics, and proteomics. Projects underway include work in mechanisms of alternative gene splicing, new approaches to the analysis of microarray data, and the use of systems analysis techniques to understand gene-gene interactions. The center has taken a leadership role in developing Bioinformatics programs in collaboration with the developers of the North Carolina Research Campus, a billion-dollar, 350-acre research park that will be home to the research programs of a large number of private biotechnology companies as well as university and medical research programs.

The Center for Biomedical Engineering Systems addresses complex problems in healthcare in the Charlotte community and beyond. The center builds research and development collaborations between researchers within UNC Charlotte’s Colleges of Engineering, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Health and Human Services, and Computing and Informatics; local healthcare institutions (including Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte Orthopedic Research Center, and Presbyterian Hospital); and corporations in the Charlotte metropolitan area to solve biomedical engineering problems. The center’s research is focused in four primary areas: (1) biomedical support systems; (2) biomedical modeling, imaging, and processing; (3) biomechanics and mobility research, and biomedical instrumentation.

The Energy Production and Infrastructure Center (EPIC) targets innovation in technologies associated with generation and distribution of reliable, affordable and clean energy sources. UNC Charlotte is partnering with the energy and infrastructure industry to create a scientific and technical resource for the energy industry and a training ground for the energy workforce. EPIC is an interdisciplinary research center with a strong emphasis on collaboration among the civil, environmental, computer, and electrical engineering disciplines.

Life Science Research is now developing strongly in four focus areas. Translational Research is designed to join basic science research with patient care to develop novel treatments and therapies for diseases and healthcare problems. Health Services Research harnesses the power of visual analytics for data warehousing/mining of large scale databases (vital statistics, hospital discharges) for decision support for both clinical and public health research domains. Kinesiology Research is focused on biodynamics and exercise physiology. Ecology and Environmental Biology Research is geared toward toxicology, bacteriology and biotechnology.

More information about the Charlotte Research Institute can be found online at www.charlotteresearchinstitute.com. 

The UNC Charlotte Urban Institute is the University’s applied research and community outreach center for urban and regional affairs, connecting faculty and students with community organizations and public institutions working on significant public policy issues in the 14-county, 2-state region surrounding Charlotte. Founded in 1969, the Institute has provided during its 40-year tenure a wide-range of services, including technical assistance and training related to operations and data management, public opinion surveys, land-use and natural resources consulting, economic development research and community planning to meet the needs of the region and its citizens. The Institute’s continuing focus has been a multidisciplinary social sciences approach to research, outreach and training to support unformed decision-making in the region. Its ongoing programs, Centers and Divisions include:

• The Charlotte Regional Indicators Project compiles objective, reliable, and relevant measures for the greater Charlotte region on indicators important to the region’s quality of life. Organized in then theme areas, and measured over time and compared to state or national data, the indicators provide policy-makers, civic leaders, and the public with a solid foundation for engaging in efforts to address the region’s social, economic, and environmental challenges.

• The Center for Transportation Policy Studies is dedicated to the research and study of transportation issues and transportation related policy. The Center conducts research and policy analyses that result in efficient and cost effective investments and sound decisions for developing and maintaining multimodal transportation systems and services.

• The School Services Division focuses on planning and technology issues related to school operations, data management and training. A major on-going project involves providing software support and training for a statewide computerized school bus routing project called TIMS (Transportation Information Management System). As part of the TIMS project, the School Services Division provides support for public school districts in 40 of the 100 counties in North Carolina.

The Institute for Social Capital was created to serve as a link between community-based government and non-profit agencies and organizations serving children, youth, and families in order to facilitate information sharing between these groups, with the broader goal of fostering research and data-based community decision-making. In addition, the Institute was designed to link the community with University researchers with expertise in a wide range of areas involving children, youth, and families. The Institute’s mission is to provide social resources that advance University research and increase the community’s capacity for data-based planning and evaluation of programs. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte Institute for Social Capital, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Foundation of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. More information can be found online at www.socialcapital.uncc.edu. 

SAFETY

Police and Public Safety services to the University community are provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week. University Police Officers are sworn, North Carolina State Certified Law Enforcement Officers.

The Administrative Offices of Police and Public Safety are located at the new Facilities Management and Police Building on Cameron Boulevard near Mary Alexander Road; the Police Telecommunication Center is still at its existing location in the King Building on campus. This agency is responsible for crime prevention, enforcement of laws and regulations, protection of life and property, preservation of peace, apprehension of criminals, and Lost and Found property.

Nearly 200 emergency "Blue Light" telephones are located throughout the campus to report suspicious activities, to summon police or medical assistance, and to request safety escorts (available 24 hours a day). Additionally, departmental representatives can conduct personal safety presentations to various audience sizes and are interested in working with students on academic, civic, and other projects related to law enforcement and community concerns. For more information, please visit www.police.uncc.edu.
 
It is the mission of the Safety and Environmental Health Office to support the University by working with all University community members to provide a safe and healthy working, teaching, learning and living environment. This is accomplished by providing high quality, responsive customer focused safety and environmental health services to the campus community. It is our responsibility to develop occupational safety and environmental health programs (i.e., Accident Prevention, Life Safety, Workers’ Compensation), maintain appropriate accident documentation, conduct safety inspections of all facilities and operations, audit safety programs, maintain all regulatory required reports, and generally work to reduce the risks of illness or injury in the University community.

The Safety and Environmental Health program at UNC Charlotte is designed to promote an atmosphere of safety and health awareness through training and employee involvement. The participation and earnest cooperation of all faculty, staff, students, and visitors are actively encouraged.

All members of the University community share the responsibility to provide and maintain a safe and healthful campus environment and to reduce or eliminate known hazards. Each individual is expected to exercise appropriate care in the conduct of his or her activities to preserve the safety and health of self and others. For more information, please visit www.safety.uncc.edu. 

SPORTS AND RECREATION

The Charlotte 49ers Department of Athletics provides competition in 16 intercollegiate varsity sports for men and women. Each sport com petes under the governing powers of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I level, which is the highest competitive level for collegiate varsity sports. Scholarships are available for all varsity sports, male and female.

Male student-athletes compete in eight sports: baseball, basketball, cross-country, golf, soccer, tennis, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field. Female student-athletes also compete in eight sports: basketball, cross-country, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field.

The Charlotte 49ers recently joined the Atlantic 10 Conference with play in the league beginning in 2005-06. The Atlantic 10 sponsors championships in each of the 49ers' 16 sports. The Atlantic 10 is made up of 14 schools: Charlotte, University of Dayton, Duquesne University, Fordham University, George Washington University, La Salle University, University of Massachusetts, University of Rhode Island, University of Richmond, St. Bonaventure University, Saint Joseph’s University, Saint Louis University, Temple University and Xavier University. Atlantic 10 tournament champions in baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, golf, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s tennis and volleyball receive automatic bids to the NCAA post-season tournaments.

Each of the 49ers teams, except golf and cross-country, competes on campus in home competition. The basketball and volleyball teams compete in Halton Arena, the soccer and track and field programs compete at the Irwin Belk Center, tennis teams compete at the D.L. Phillips Athletic Complex, and baseball and softball teams compete at the Robert and Mariam Hayes Stadium.

For more information about the Charlotte 49ers and Athletics at UNC Charlotte, please visit http://charlotte49ers.cstv.com/. 

Recreational Services develops and conducts programs that provide opportunities for University students and faculty/staff members to participate in recreational activities. Five major program areas offer a variety of structures in which members of the University community may pursue recreational interests. Intramural tournaments and events are scheduled throughout the year for individual, dual, and team participation. The tournaments and events are organized to provide separate competition among coeducational, men’s, and women’s teams. Sport Clubs provide an opportunity to participate in a single sport on a continuing basis. Approximately thirty clubs, ranging from equestrian to lacrosse to tennis, are active each semester. Fitness and Wellness opportunities include group fitness, mind/body classes and personal training. Three major Special Events are offered each year, RecFest, Homecoming 5K Run/Walk, and a Spring Golf Tournament. The Special events are open to the public and may involve food, games, prizes, entertainment, and competition. In addition to structured sports programs, the division promotes the concept of informal recreational use of athletic facilities through the Open Recreation Program. For more information, please visit www.recservices.uncc.edu. 

The Belk Gymnasium features basketball, volleyball and badminton courts, an indoor swimming pool, racquetball courts, a weight room, and lockers for students, faculty, and staff. It also houses classrooms and an auditorium for audiovisual presentations.

The James H. Barnhardt Student Activity Center (SAC) is a multi-purpose facility designed to meet the diverse social, cultural, and recreational needs of students at UNC Charlotte. The SAC is home to the Halton Arena, a 9,000 venue hosting athletic events, concerts, lectures, and a variety of other university functions.

Retractable seating in the area folds back to reveal four recreational courts that may be used for intramural sports, free-play, sports camps, or for special events including job fairs, trade shows, etc. Other recreational offerings include a state-of-the-art weight room, aerobics studio, indoor track, and indoor climbing wall. In addition to the physical fitness and wellness facilities, the SAC also serves as a meeting place for students and the campus community. The first floor of the SAC is home to a spacious food court with dining options and open-air lounge space, and the third and top floor of the SAC is comprised of a large and gracious hospitality area that can be sub-divided into five separate meeting salons. Adjacent to the hospitality area is the campus catering kitchen, serving the special events in the SAC as well as the remainder of the campus.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

The Office of Student Activities (OSA) is a department within the Division of Student Affairs, which works to enhance the growth and development of students directly and indirectly by planning, advising, supporting and implementing a variety of programs, products and services. OSA includes Campus Activities Board, Student Media, Center for Leadership Development, Multicultural Resource Center, Venture, Student Organizations and Niners on the Weekend. With the exception of Venture, our offices are located in the student union. Venture is located in the Cone University Center. See below for a full description of all units of OSA. If you’re not sure how or where to get involved, let us help! For additional information, please call 704-687-2521 or visit thttp://studentactivities.uncc.edu.

CAMPUS ACTIVITIES BOARD

The Campus Activities Board (CAB) is the largest student programming organization on campus and is responsible for planning diverse, quality events for the University community. CAB offers over 100 programs a year and works to enhance and unify the University community by planning social, cultural, educational and recreational events that complement the university’s academic mission. Founded early in the history of UNC Charlotte, CAB maintains a vital role in fostering 49er spirit and traditions through popular programs such as Week of Welcome, Week of Madness, Homecoming, and more.

CAB is located on the second floor of the Student Union. For more information, visit the above website or call 704-687-2450. Opportunities for student involvement include the following committees:

Live Entertainment – brings entertainment ranging from comedy, live music, variety acts and other entertainment trends. On at least one Friday night each month, this committee brings a wide variety of diverse acts to campus.

Special Programs – Stand up local comedy, open mic, poetry slams, improv, dance -- you name it and this committee works to bring it to the Thursday night series, presented every other week.

Talks and Topics – Sometimes serious, sometimes fun, or a little of both! In an effort to complement the academic mission and offer a marketplace of various opinions and ideas, this committee works to provide forums, lectures, and debates on a variety of issues and topics.

Niners at Noon – Anything from campus brown bag forums, to live performances – this committee brings an array of activities to the Student Union during the daytime and over the lunch hour on Wednesdays.

T.A.X.I. – Talent, Activities Xcursions & Interests – You can see it all here! This committee merges a combination of cultural, entertainment, trips, and special interest events throughout the campus community, and strives to create an educational as well as entertainment value appeal for a variety of students.

Spirit and Traditions – Enables you to be part of living the 49er spirit and traditions by planning annual events such as Homecoming, Week of Madness, and Week of Welcome. This committee works collaboratively with other campus organizations, faculty, and staff to produce university wide events.

STUDENT MEDIA PRODUCTIONS

The Student Media Board is the governing body for Student Media. It is comprised of students and administrative staff members, as well as representatives of the various student media.

The University Times is the campus newspaper, published every Tuesday and Thursday, and offers campus news and journalism experience for students. The newspaper provides a vital service to the entire University community by keeping readers informed of issues of common concern and interest. Family members may keep informed with the University's news by calling 704-687-2663 and ordering a subscription to The University Times.

Niner Online is the university community's home in cyberspace. UNCC news, sports, and feature stories are posted several times each week. Students can sign up to have the headlines emailed to them throughout the week or anytime breaking news is happening. Students gain experience with Internet publishing and writing by working with NinerOnline. Visit the site at www.nineronline.com. 

Media Marketing is the sales and promotions branch of Student Media. The department solicits advertising and coordinates promotion for UNC Charlotte's student publications. Media Marketing offers real world experience and internship opportunities for business, marketing, and communication careers.

Sanskrit is the nationally recognized literary-arts magazine published by students interested in the arts. Original work in writing, drawing, photography, and other arts is welcomed by the editor. Submissions are professionally juried, and selections are published in the annual edition of the magazine.

Internships are available in Student Media. Interns can earn academic credit and receive "hands on" media experience in writing, design, photography, advertising, desktop publishing, and management.

For more information about how to get involved with the student media, contact the office at 704-687-2663 or visit http://media.uncc.edu. Student Media is located in the Student Union.

NINERS ON THE WEEKEND

Niners on the Weekend (NOW) hosts student campus programs on the weekend throughout the school year. It is our goal to provide an entertaining outlet on campus for all students. There are two events each weekend and most of them are held in the Student Union. They include game shows, video game tournaments, trips, Club 49er and more. Visit our website for all the latest event information and sign up for our weekly listserv.

CENTER FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

The UNC Charlotte Center for Leadership Development provides students with opportunities to develop leadership skills and abilities and provides the University and student organizations more effective leadership. The goal is to provide a comprehensive and diverse program of leadership development activities for current student leaders and potential leaders.

The program consists of both group and self-paced leadership components, retreats and conferences, as well as academic courses. Individual and group consultation is also available.

• Academic Certificate in Leadership Studies—An 18-credit hour concentration in interdisciplinary leadership studies leading to an academic certificate awarded at graduation from the institution

• Conferences—Co-sponsorship of leadership conferences for Greeks, women, and members of multicultural organizations

• Emerging Leaders—Group leadership experience for freshmen (applications available early Fall semester)

• Individual and Group Consultation—Assistance with applications, interviewing, leadership issues and programmatic needs

• LEAD Team—Students trained as presenters available to make presentations on a wide variety of leadership topics

• LeaderShape Institute—Leadership program for established leaders; focus is on vision and leading with integrity

• Leadership Fellows—Fall semester group leadership experience for upper classmen (applications available Spring semester)

• Leadership Journey Learning Community—One-year residential program for first-year students who have an interest in developing or building leadership skills and abilities

• Leadership Website—Provides information, events calendar, and leadership resources

• Leadership, Communication, and Group Dynamics—a 3-hour leadership theory course (COMM 3135)

• Leadership, Service and Ethics—a 3-hour course in communication studies for students interested in developing a leadership framework and obtaining academic credit (COMM 3136)

• PILOT (Programs In Leadership and Organizational Training)—individualized leadership program that provides an opportunity for leadership certification in a self-paced program

Contact the Center for Leadership Development for more information at 704-687 2703 or online at http://leadership.uncc.edu.

MULTICULTURAL RESOURCE CENTER

The Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) offers an environment for students, faculty and staff to learn about and to further explore personal identity, diversity, and global relationships while making connections with individuals that represent a vast array of heritages, backgrounds, interests, and experiences. The Center is available to assist students individually in their own explorations of themselves and/or others as well as to assist student organizations in their operations and programming efforts.

The MRC is located in the Student Union and houses a resource area bearing information regarding both University and community support sources; a resource library containing reference books and video media (VHS/DVD) that cover a variety of topics; an assortment of multicultural publications (magazines, newspapers, & newsletters); and computers with printing access. To supplement these resources, the Center offers ongoing education and training exploring the many facets of diversity and human relations.

Programming supported by the MRC include the annual International Festival, Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, cultural heritage months (Black History Month, Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month, Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, etc.) , as well as other special events. Along with these efforts, the MRC provides support to 40+ multicultural student organizations, as well as support for student/student organizational efforts that support its mission and purpose. Supported organizations include the Black Student Union (BSU), Latin American Student Organization (LASO), Muslim Student Association, People Recognizing Individual Diversity and Equality (PRIDE), Vietnamese Student Association, and a host of others.

Multicultural Student Council (MSC) is a diverse body of students organized to assist the MRC in its efforts to promote multiculturalism. Along with the Center, the MSC works closely and collaboratively with students, student organizations, and departments to support the unique diversity present at UNC Charlotte and the Charlotte community.

Religious & Spiritual Life (RSL) is a subunit of the Multicultural Resource Center and serves as a liaison for faith-related matters within the University community. Additionally, RSL assists in the holistic development of UNC Charlotte students by providing avenues to explore religious and spiritual identity and expression. Through dialogues, workshops, programming, and student organizational support, RSL promotes personal growth, mutual understanding, and a healthy, engaged community. Visit online at http://rsl.uncc.edu/.

VENTURE

Venture offers experiential learning, workshops and adventure trips in outdoor settings. Activities include day trips as well as weekend trips in a variety of outdoor endeavors from backpacking to rock climbing to kayaking, and programs at our on-campus team development course, high ropes team challenge course, and indoor climbing wall. Venture programs are modeled on Outward Bound and are designed to facilitate individual growth through physical challenge, group interaction, and personal reflection; all while having fun. Students involved in VOLTAGE (Venture Outdoor Leadership Training and Group Experience) have the opportunity to be trained as student leaders to instruct Venture’s variety of programs. Venture houses a resource library to help individuals plan their own adventure trips. Outdoor camping gear can be rented.

Venture also offers courses for academic credit through the Department of Kinesiology. Each fall, a four-credit course, Wilderness Experience, offers a modified Outward Bound experience presenting a series of increasing challenges. A variety of one- and two-credit outdoor activity courses is also offered including: Introduction to Outdoor Adventures, Rock Climbing, Challenge Course Activities, Wilderness Trip Leading and Challenge Course Facilitation for the low and high challenge course. For additional details and to see the descriptions for EXER courses, visit http://venture.uncc.edu/academics. 

For more information about Venture please http://venture.uncc.edu, contact the Venture Program at 704-687-2486, or stop by the Venture office in the Cone University Center (entrance off the Cone lower plaza).

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

The University has approximately 300 student organizations that enhance the academic experience of UNC Charlotte students. The categories of student organizations include: academic (pre-professional), performance, service, political, religious, multicultural, international, interest, sport clubs, honor societies, graduate groups and "other." There are many benefits to joining a student organization, including making new friends, developing new skills and abilities, working as part of a team, learning to set and achieve goals, sharing your time and talents, as well as having fun. The Office of Student Activities encourages you to enhance your education at UNC Charlotte by becoming involved. Contact the Student Office at 704-687-3181 for a listing of the student organizations registered by the Student Government Association. A current listing of all student organizations is available online at http://studentorgs.uncc.edu.

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