Page Contents:

The Campus
Educational Services and Facilities
Outreach: The University and the Community
Student Affairs and Services

[Page Contents]

THE CAMPUS

The campus is located off Harris Boulevard on NC 49 near its intersection with US 29, and only eight miles from the interchange of Interstates 85 and 77. Campus facilities are comprised of air-conditioned contemporary buildings. In addition to classrooms and well-equipped laboratories, the University offers arts and athletic facilities, cafeterias and residence accommodations. The campus is designed for the pedestrian and facilities are generally accessible to students with disabilities.

A map of the campus is included on the inside back cover of this Catalog. The Reese Building houses many administrative offices, including Undergraduate Admissions and the Registrar's Office.

UNC Charlotte Uptown. The University offers selected upper division undergraduate and graduate courses and a variety of continuing personal and professional development programs at its UNC Charlotte Uptown center. Classes are scheduled for the convenience of persons employed in or living near the central business core of the city. UNC Charlotte Uptown is located at 220 North Tryon Street, on the third floor of the new Mint Museum of Craft + Design._ When traveling I-77, either north or south, exit onto Fifth Street. Stay on east Fifth Street until you reach Tryon Street._

Parking is the responsibility of Parking Services, located in the Auxiliary Services Building. Parking on campus requires purchase and display of a University parking permit or payment to park at meters or in visitor’s decks. Night Decals for evening-only students are available by the semester. Permits do not guarantee a space will be available nor do they reserve a specific space, except in the case of individuals with disabilities. Abbreviated copies of the Campus Parking Rules and Information are available from Parking Services. For information on fees for motor vehicle registration and parking, see the section on Financial Information in this Catalog.

The Charlotte Transit System provides bus transportation from the Square in uptown Charlotte and from Southpark (via Eastland Mall and the apartment complexes along Barrington Drive, Route 29 & 39). Service is provided on a regular schedule connecting with established routes throughout the city. Brochures containing detailed information regarding routes, schedules and TRAC passes may be obtained in the Parking Services Office, or by calling the Charlotte Transit Authority at (704) 336-3366. Fees are set by Charlotte Transit and are subject to change.

Police and Public Safety services to the University community are provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Campus Police Officers are sworn, certified law enforcement officers.

The Department of Police and Public Safety, King Building room 113, 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.

Emergency telephones are located throughout the campus and are identified by "blue lights."

Recycling services are coordinated by the Recycling Office (547-2137) in the Physical Plant. The University’s recycling program, initiated by students in 1990, recycles 24% of the solid waste generated on campus. Residence halls are equipped with outdoor recycling centers and a recycling bin in each room. Aluminum can and paper recycling are available in all academic and administrative buildings on campus. Recycling of bottles and newspapers is quickly expanding to all buildings.

The recycling program and employment in the Recycling Office offers students a chance to actively embrace their environmental responsibilities and demonstrate concerns. The aluminum can, residence hall, and food recycling programs are all programs designed, initiated, and maintained by concerned and active students. These recycling programs and others help UNC Charlotte in its effort to meet North Carolina’s 40% waste reduction goal by the year 2001.

Safety Services and Accident Prevention are the concerns of the Environmental/Occupational Safety and Health Office in the Department of Human Resources. It is the responsibility of this office to investigate accidents on campus, conduct safety inspections of all buildings, maintain all reports required by the N.C. Department of Labor and generally work to reduce the risks of illness or injury in the University community. This office is located in room 119, Garinger Building.

The J. Murrey Atkins Library, located near the center of the campus, houses an open-shelf collection which includes over 664,023 bound volumes and more than 660,000 units in microform. The Library of Congress classification system is used for the arrangement of books and periodicals, and an online catalog provides access to a substantial portion of the collection.

Atkins Library meets the informational needs of the University community by offering a variety of services. Library staff provide assistance to users in locating information and in use of the library. The library offers general orientation tours during the fall semester. The reference staff offers an active library instruction program, which includes customized presentations and resource guides and instruction sheets on locating and using library resources.

The library offers state-of-the-art electronic access to local and worldwide resources. ALADDIN, the Library’s online catalog, provides access to print and non-print resources located within the Library. Networked multitasking computers with high speed printing and download capabilities provide electronic access to local research databases, electronic journals, full-text articles, and Internet connections to the world including NC Live, the North Carolina electronic initiative with access to thousands of databases. Web based access to Library electronic research materials is also available from University computer labs all over campus.

A number of special collections are available. A selective depository of U.S. publications since 1964, Atkins Library has over 884,000 federal government documents including statistics, bibliographies and full text files on over 2,300 compact discs. The North Carolina documents collection, begun in 1976, is a rapidly growing collection of publications of state government agencies; the library was designated one of the first depositories for North Carolina documents in 1988. The Local Public Documents Room Collection for the McGuire Nuclear Plant on Lake Norman is located in the Library. Atkins Library also houses a growing collection of over 48,000 maps, ranging from USGS topographic quadrangles to historic WWII-era Defense Mapping Agency maps.

The Mary and Harry L. Dalton Rare Book and Manuscript Room houses collections of rare books, historical manuscripts, local government documents, and official University records. The 6450 volume Rare Book Collection specializes in American literature, historical children’s books, and English drama. The Manuscript Collections contain over one million unpublished papers, photographs, and architectural drawings relating to the history of Charlotte-Mecklenburg and surrounding counties, while the Local Documents Collection emphasizes printed materials issued by governmental bodies in the region. The University Archives and Records Management Program provides information support services for current University operations and preserves approximately one million items that document the history of the University.

The Curriculum and Instructional Materials Center provides a laboratory for students and faculty to study and experiment with curriculum and instructional materials and methods. Included in the Center are over 5,000 elementary and secondary textbooks, a file of standardized tests, computer laboratory with software and laser technology, a collection of professional education books, pamphlets and periodicals, curriculum guides from school systems throughout the country, and numerous other resources for the teacher education profession. The Center staff also provides customized library instruction and resource guides for class assignments. The Center also serves as the North Carolina National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) Regional Teacher Resource Center.

Media Services, administered by the Library, is located in the Atkins building. It offers a wide range of traditional audio-visual services, as well as support for emerging technologies to faculty and students for instructional purposes. The production staff is capable of producing color slides (both traditional and computer output), high quality color laser printing, black and white photographs, professional quality audio and video recordings, satellite downlinks and multimedia programs.

Faculty may develop multimedia projects utilizing the hardware and software applications available in the unit’s multimedia resource lab. The lab is equipped with networked Macintosh and Gateway computers, scanners, printers, illustration, presentation and authoring software programs. The lab also houses an extensive collection of copyright-free clip art and CD-ROMS.

Media Services lends audio-visual equipment for short-term use to students and faculty. Equipment includes VCR’s and monitors, camcorders, projectors (data, video, document, filmstrip, motion picture, opaque, slide and overhead), audio tape recorders, public address systems, record and compact disc players, laser disc players, easels, tripods and screens. The unit also oversees equipment that is permanently installed in teaching classrooms across campus.

The unit manages a television studio and teleconference and teleclassroom facilities as part of two highly sophisticated, fully interactive video networks in conjunction with the Microelectronics Center of North Carolina and the North Carolina Information Highway. Professional assistance is available upon request.

Additional services provided by the unit include: digital imaging services, video and audio duplication, international video tape conversion, video tape editing (both analog and digital), slide duplication, copystand work, dry mounting, and laminating. The staff offers assistance in equipment operation, and provides consulting and assistance for multimedia, web page and graphic design, and instructional design and development.

Computing Services provides the University’s infrastructure to support instructional, research, and administrative computing. The campus has a robust data network. All student computing labs and offices have full access to the Internet. All students, faculty, and staff have an electronic mail account and, if desired, a web page account. There are over 42 student computing labs with a total of over 860 stations. Many computing labs have specialized software and hardware. The University’s major systems, such as the library and electronic mail systems, are accessible from off campus using an Internet Service Provider. The University is a member of the North Carolina Research and Education Network, which provides access to the North Carolina Supercomputer Center and other state resources.

Learning Center. Designed to improve academic performance and foster meaningful learning experiences, the Learning Center provides services, programs, and materials to help students develop and refine thinking skills, utilize learning and self-management skills, and learn course material more quickly and thoroughly while earning higher grades. Services include: (1) individual consultation and academic counseling regarding learning and self-management skills; (2) assessment of reading/learning skills, learning styles, and study habits/attitudes; (3) computer-assisted instruction for a variety of course subjects; (4) learning and self-management skills workshops; (5) a library of materials with books, audio tapes, video tapes, and printed handouts outlining study/learning strategies; and (6) materials available for the GRE, GMAT, LSAT and other standardized tests.

Tutorial Services. Tutorial Services assists students to improve their learning efficiency and academic performance. Upperclass and graduate student peer tutors selected because of competence in the content area and interpersonal skills provide free tutoring primarily in mathematics, science and foreign languages. Computer-assisted instruction and videos are available to reinforce classroom learning in math and other courses.

Supplemental Instruction. Supplemental Instruction assists students in introductory courses such as BIOL 1110, CHEM 1251 and PSYC 1101 where over a third of the students typically receive a D or F or withdraw. SI leaders help students refine the unique skills necessary for doing well in each course.

Athletic Academic Advising. Athletic Academic Advising (236 Belk Gymnasium) provides academic and personal counseling to student athletes as a supplement to assistance provided by the Advising Center and the regular departmental adviser. Academic advisers provide prospective student athletes with information on admission procedures and academic requirements, monitor academic progress, arrange supervised study sessions and make referrals to other campus services.

Disability Services. Disability Services assists students with academic and physical accommodations based on documentation of disability. Services include, but are not limited to: (1) priority registration assistance; (2) orientation to available services; (3) development of individualized educational plans; (4) special testing accommodations; (5) taped textbooks, braille and/or large print service for visually impaired students; (6) assistive technology loans; (7) referrals to tutoring and other campus support services; and (8) interpreting services for students who are deaf; (9) individual counseling and advocacy; and (10) referrals to human services agencies.

In all possible cases, UNC Charlotte will obtain educational auxiliary aids from existing resources such as Vocational Rehabilitation agencies and private charitable organizations. The University assumes no responsibility for the provision of attendants, individually prescribed devices, readers for personal use, or any devices or services of a personal nature. The arrangements for these services are entirely the responsibility of the student.

The Disability Services Office also serves as a resource to faculty, staff, and the University community by providing consultation and advocacy services on issues related to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Student Support Services. Student Support Services is a federally funded program which provides academic, personal, and career counseling, intensive tutorial assistance, and mentoring to low income and first generation college students or students with a disability.

McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program. This federally supported grant program is designed to increase the likelihood that low-income and first generation college students and students from other groups under-represented in graduate school will further their education at the doctoral level. It pairs eligible junior and senior level students with faculty members from academic disciplines across the curriculum to work on research projects. Sophomores are eligible for some aspects of the program.

Minority Academic Services (MAS) in the division of Academic Affairs, is committed to providing quality academic support services to increase the retention and graduation of minority students at UNC Charlotte. MAS provides academic advising to minority freshmen and sophomores primarily through three programs: SAFE, UTOP and PRODUCE.

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 National Science Foundation Grant to: (1) improve the quality of the learning environment for minorities in Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Engineering Technology; (2) increase the number of minority students graduating with degrees in Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Engineering Technology; and (3) develop and implement effective techniques of attracting talented minority students who would otherwise not choose science or engineering as a career.

Student Advising for Freshman Excellence. The goal of SAFE is to facilitate the transition from high school to college of all incoming African-American freshmen. Through orientation sessions, 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.

University Transition Opportunities Program. UTOP is a summer academic program designed to facilitate the

minority student's transition from high school to the University by involving a limited number of incoming freshmen in a rigorous 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.

Office of Adult Students and Evening Services (OASES) serves as a liaison with academic departments, advising centers, and administrative offices for students who need to conduct business after 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (when classes are in session). Activities and programs include advising in the evening, re-entry open houses, evening and/or weekend orientations, scholarships, the Alpha Sigma Lambda and Pinnacle Honor Societies, the Non-Traditional Student Organization (NTSO), and a newsletter, "For Adults Only." For adults returning to school after an extended absence, OASES provides information about the admissions process and opportunities available through the Adult Students Admission Program (ASAP).

Academic Assessment Services. Academic Assessment Services administers the university’s foreign language proficiency exam, the math placement exam, and several standardized tests including the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Proctoring services are available for special testing for other universities or the campus community.

University Writing Programs brings together interests, needs, and resources related to writing across the university. It is responsible for development activities for faculty members such as workshops, networking and the annual Wildacres retreats held each May. Through the Writing Resources Center assistance is provided for members of the university community who want to become more effective writers. The center is staffed by graduate and undergraduate tutors who work with writers at all stages of the writing process: prewriting, focusing, organizing, revising, and editing. Programs include one-on-one tutoring; group tutoring; classroom workshops; library assistance; and computer assisted instruction of Macintosh and IBM computers.

Office of International Programs (OIP). The Office of International Programs offers academic and cultural programs to enhance the learning environment of the University community.

International Admissions (IA). International Admissions is responsible for marketing UNC Charlotte to the world. The primary focus is to recruit international students who will attend UNC Charlotte on non-immigrant visas. When students apply, IA processes the applications, evaluates credentials and makes admission decisions on undergraduate applicants. At the graduate level, IA processes applications, evaluates credentials, and serves as a consultant to the Graduate School and the graduate departments. Once admitted, student files are referred to International Student/Scholar Services for processing of documents needed to obtain student and exchange visas.

Education Abroad. UNC Charlotte encourages its students to study and live in a foreign country as a part of their undergraduate career. The Office of Education Abroad offers students the opportunity to study or work abroad for a year, a semester or a summer. Programs are available in countries virtually all over the world. Deadlines for application for fall semester or year-long programs are in January, deadlines for spring semester programs are in September or October, and deadlines for summer programs are generally in March or April. Contact the Office for program information.

Faculty Development. The Office of International Programs serves as a facilitator for faculty exchange opportunities. Faculty are encouraged to work with the OIP staff in exploring and applying for a wide range of international exchanges. Among those are the Fulbright Exchange Program, reciprocal department exchanges, and exchanges based on agreements between UNC Charlotte and overseas institutions of higher learning. Faculty and administrators also are able to take advantage of OIP's professional development program. This program provides opportunities for the further enhancement of international interests through travel for international study and research and faculty colloquia on international topics.

International Student/Scholar Services are designed to address the needs of foreign students and scholars in the areas of immigration, language, campus orientation and cultural understanding. In addition, the staff serves as a liaison to other campus offices on related matters and provides programs that enhance the student and scholar's learning experience including Conversation Partners, The Host Family Program, advising of international student clubs, and Cross-Cultural Training Workshops.

Campus Programming. Various events are sponsored independently and in cooperation with other departments and agencies. They include the annual International Festival, dinners featuring specific cultures, the Education Abroad Fair, Summer Institutes, and the Chapter office of Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars.

The English Language Training Institute (ELTI) provides intensive English as a Second Language instruction for international students planning to attend American universities or colleges and for individuals pursuing professional training in the United States. ELTI holds three sessions per year--fall, spring, and summer--and offers eight language proficiency levels, including a level for applicants for graduate study. Average class size is 12 students and students attend classes 20-24 hours per week. Exceptional students in Levels 6 and 7 are eligible to take University courses in addition to their English classes. ELTI also offers a communications course for international teaching assistants, consulting for international faculty at UNC Charlotte, short-term programs with English language and American culture themes, and curricula custom-designed for professional groups.

Public Service. The OIP 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 eight key policy issues; (3) Cross-Cultural training, individually designed workshops that focus on appreciation for other cultures and development of skills in effective communications across cultures; (4) Intercultural Outreach Programs offers custom designed, short term training programs for international groups. These programs may include English language training, American cultural themes, and/or specialized professional development in any field, site visits and internships in the community, and a variety of cultural experiences tailored to meet the objectives of the group. Examples of recent groups include Korean university, Japanese and Taiwanese English teachers, Russian social studies teachers, Japanese bankers and business people, Korean telecommunications executives, and Korean government officials;and (5) Japan-America Society, a university-community joint venture to enhance understanding of Japan and U.S.-Japan relations.

The University Career Center is a comprehensive career service designed to assist undergraduate and graduate students in all stages of career development: career decision making, career planning, and career placement. Experiential learning is a key component and all students are encouraged to take advantage of internship, cooperative education, and other career exploration programs. With the University Career Center acting as a coordinating and academic support unit for experiential learning, the majority of students are expected to graduate with career related experience.

The goals of the Center are: to help all students make and act on career decisions which maximize their potential and long term development; to enable the timely involvement of students in experiential learning programs; to engage students, faculty, and employers in quality experiential learning programs; and to promote receptivity to and involvement with UNC Charlotte, the colleges, and the students among individuals and organizations outside the University. The Center maintains relations with over 600 area and national employers, and also has placed interns in Israel, Germany, and France. Over 10,000 jobs and internships are handled through the office each year.

Services provided by the Center range from individual advising and videotaped mock interviews to small group workshops on such topics as resume writing, effective interviewing, uncovering the hidden job market, and preparing for the transition into the work world. Other services include resumé referrals to employers, on campus interviewing, a career resource collection, a University Career Consultants Network Internship, job and career choice fairs and special career programs are available. The staff also present programs in the classrooms, residence halls and student organization settings. Three newsletters are published to inform students about workshops, programs, and employers recruiting on campus. Students are encouraged to visit the center and to start their experiential learning program and career planning in their freshman year or first semester at the University. The University Career Center has received national recognition for its "state-of-the-art" program initiatives, including Career Expo, Nursing and Education Fairs, Experiential Learning Job Fair, Mock Interview Day, Part-time Job Fair, and Career Exploration Day.

Part-time Employment Off-campus. The University Career Center assists students in obtaining part-time employment off-campus. Job listings and assistance are available in the King Building. Students are encouraged also to participate in career related experiences such as  co-op, internships, and 49erships which can be arranged through the University Career Center. Students are encouraged to limit employment to allow for success in a full 15-18 hour course load each semester.

The Office of Research Services, headed by the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research, provides services to the University community in support of research and creative activity. The staff is available to consult with faculty and to assist in all phases of developing research programs, seeking and securing funding, and managing projects, including identification of funding sources, interpretation of guidelines, preparation of budgets, and general consultation on writing and funding strategies. The Office of Research Services maintains extensive web resources, coordinates research support efforts with college research officers, and is responsible for federal and congressional relations, federal compliance, and operation of the University Vivarium.

The Chimney Rock Park Field Station is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, 30 miles southeast of Asheville. The University has an agreement with Chimney Rock Park to investigate the biological, geological and cultural features of the 800-acre park. Area available for study extends from the Broad River at the bottom of Hickory Nut Gorge to the top, a vertical climb of over 1,500 feet.

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 an eight-acre old field, 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 Academic Greenhouse, the Van Landingham Rhododendron Glen, and the Susie Harwood Ornamentals Garden. Begun in 1966, these gardens combine indoor and outdoor facilities for teaching, research and public display of a wide variety of native and exotic plants.

Student Affairs and Services

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte provides a comfortable and enjoyable environment for students that is conducive to study. 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.

The Bonnie E. Cone University Center serves as the hub of activity for informal gatherings and social and educational activities on campus and provides an attractive, comfortable place for relaxation and study. Services and facilities include a variety of meeting rooms and multi-purpose spaces, art galleries, an information desk and music listening lounge, TV/Video Lounge, the Candy Shoppe/Ticket Counter, Creation Station (signs, banners, balloons, etc.), 24-Hour Program Hotline, Campus Event Information Office, and Technical Services. A variety of activities, including concerts, movies, lectures, banquets are provided.

Also located within Cone University Center are the offices of the Student Body Government, University Times, Sanskrit, Student Media Marketing, Black Student Union, University Program Board, Resident Student Association, Commuter Student Association, Venture Program, Office of Student Activities, Student Activity Fees Clerk, I.D. Office, Food Services and Conferences, Reservations and Event Services (located in the administrative offices of the University Center).

The I.D. Office is co-located with the Food Service Office adjacent to the Main Street Market cafeteria in Cone University Center. It is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a. m. to 5 p.m. Friday.

After Hours (Cone Center) and The Rathskeller (Residence Hall Cafeteria) can be reserved for dances and other events. The University Program Board (UPB) and Campus Programs offer a wide variety of entertainment including name musical and novelty acts, lectures, movies, minority programs, women's programs and children's programs.

The Bookstore offers new and used textbooks, non-required special interest and gift books, school supplies, computers and related equipment, greeting cards, gifts and clothing items. Services include sale and development of film and special ordering of books not carried in stock.

University residence halls, suites and apartments offer students a variety of living arrangements. Four residence halls house approximately 500 students each. Each room includes study and sleeping areas for two students and is equipped with built-in dressers, study desks, chairs and closets. 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 concessions area, a lounge and a laundry room. A meal service contract is required in the residence halls.

In suite housing, two students share a double room and four students share a bath and a den area. This lifestyle also requires a meal service contract.

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 cooking facilities and living/dining space. A meal plan is optional, allowing students the experience of buying and preparing their own food, if they so desire. (Note: freshmen are not eligible for the apartment lifestyle.)

Several options are available for summer housing. For information, 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 date of receipt of contract. An application for housing will be sent to the entering student who requests one following his or her final admission to the University. A $100 deposit is required when the application is returned to the Associate Vice Chancellor and Director of Housing and Residence Life.

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. Wheelchair students 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 Disability Services Office. 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.

Food Service. Resident students living in Sanford, Moore, Holshouser, Scott, Hawthorn, Hickory, Cedar, Sycamore, Oak and Poplar Suites must have a food service contract. Current options require freshmen in these areas to have either a 15 or 19 Meal Plan. All others living in these areas must purchase a specified amount of declining balance or choose one of the above plans. All Meal Plan meals must be taken in the Resident Dining Hall (RDH) or the Crossroads Cafe. Declining balance plans can be used as cash at any food service facility on the campus.

During the period of occupancy, UNC Charlotte will provide meals according to the plan selected except that no meals are provided during fall break, Thanksgiving break, winter break and spring break.

Dining service contracts are binding for one semester. Cancellations can only be made under special circumstances (i.e., withdrawal from the University or moving to an on-campus apartment) and only upon the approval of the Office of Meal Plans, 49er Card and Insurance. Students may make meal plan changes during the registration period, which lasts through the first day of classes. The first change will be at no charge, an administrative charge of $25 will be accessed for each subsequent change. Students living in highrises and suites may make changes again during the two days of housing room change on a pro-rata basis. No other changes may be made after this time, unless the student moves from required housing. Students living in apartments and off-campus may make changes and cancellations on a pro-rata basis until fall/spring breaks. NO CHANGES OR CANCELLATIONS MAY BE MADE AFTER FALL/SPRING BREAKS. (Exceptions must be approved by the Food Service Administrator.) All changes and cancellations must be made in the Meal Plans, 49er Card and Insurance Office, 162 Auxiliary Services Building, or by calling (704) 547-2138 or 2139.

Resident students in apartments and commuter students may purchase any of the Meal Plans, including a 5 Meal Plan or may purchase, at any time, declining balance with a minimum amount of $25.

Anyone may purchase individual meals at either of the boarding cafeterias (RDH and Crossroads Cafe). Vending machines are located throughout the campus, and several locations have microwave ovens for heating items.

The Counseling Center provides services and programs to assist in individual and group growth, career development and personal adjustment problems. Staffed by psychologists and counselors, the Counseling Center offers services to students, faculty and staff. Initial counseling appointments may be arranged in Room 158 of the Atkins Building. Information between an individual and his/her counselor is confidential in accordance with guidelines established by the American Psychological Association.

Individual counseling is provided to help a person develop better coping strategies, resolve conflict and handle crisis situations. Career counseling assists the person in exploring interests, work values and abilities through individual counseling sessions, career exploration groups and utilization of the Career Resource Library, and use of the SIGI Plus computer-assisted career guidance system. Each semester, groups are offered that teach a skill or focus on a particular theme. The administration of career interest inventories, personality surveys and achievement tests provide an additional method of self-exploration for students.

Outreach and consultations are vital functions of the Counseling Center. Staff members are available to consult with faculty, staff and student organizations on topics such as enhancing communication, improving the learning environment and helping the problem student. Outreach activities include programs conducted outside the Counseling Center to meet the needs of a group or organization. These programs usually focus on personal development, or career development.

The Brocker Health Center provides a range of out-patient medical care to all students. In addition to basic services, the Center houses a pharmacy, medical facilities for laboratory, X-rays and allergy injections, and a physical therapy department. Other services include specialized clinics for orthopedics, gynecology, podiatry, HIV screening, and vision screening.

Brocker Health Center is fully operational between from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, with physicians and support staff on duty Monday through Friday. Appointments are recommended, but a walk-in clinic is available from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Seriously ill students and emergencies are referred to local hospitals or other appropriate medical facilities. Students and parents are urged to review their insurance plans to be sure that they have adequate coverage for emergency treatment or hospitalization. The University does not provide health insurance for students. Information about private insurance coverage is mailed to all students during the summer and is available at the Health Center or Auxiliary Services.

Students coming to the Health Center must present their current University identification card. The student health fee covers most of the cost for services at the Health Center; however, additional fees are charged for X-ray, pharmacy, laboratory and orthopedic services. Fees are subject to change. For more information, visit the Health Center or telephone 547-4617.

The Student Employment Office (101 King Building) assists students in locating work on campus. 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 hours to allow for success in a full 15-18 hour course load each semester.

Outreach: The University and 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 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 Alumni House on Highway 49, serves as the liaison between the University and all graduates. The Director of Alumni Affairs is the chief administrative officer, coordinating activities of the office of Alumni Affairs and carrying out the objectives, goals and policies of the Alumni Association.

The Alumni Association's primary purpose is to involve alumni in the promotion, advancement, and support of the mission of UNC Charlotte and to develop and stimulate a continuing interest in our Alma Mater by providing opportunities for service, fellowship, and loyalty. A 32-member Board of Governors, elected by the active membership, establishes policy of the Alumni Association and assists in the planning and implementation of projects, events, and programs. Active members of the association are those alumni who contribute to the University or the UNC Charlotte Foundation.

Programs of the Alumni Association include the Alumni Awards Banquet, regional and collegiate chapters, homecoming activities, networking socials, public affairs events, reunions, merchandising opportunities, group travel, athletic support, recognition of outstanding seniors, and sponsorship of the Student Alumni Ambassadors. Alumni have the opportunity to support academic excellence through the Chancellor's Club, which annually provides Alumni Scholarships for Merit to three students at the University.

The Alumni Office seeks to maintain lifelong contact with all graduates. Graduates are encouraged to become active in the Alumni Association and to notify the Alumni Affairs Office of address changes, employment information and other significant events, such as marriages, births and honors. In this way, adequate records can be maintained, and the Alumni Affairs Office can publish news about graduates in the University Magazine. The address is Alumni Affairs Office, Alumni House, UNC Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28223; telephone (704) 547-2273 or, for those outside Mecklenburg County, 1-800-PIK-UNCC; fax (704) 547-3962; email alumni@email.uncc.edu; internet http://www.uncc49er.net.

The Ben Craig Center, located in the University Research Park, is a non-profit corporation established by UNC Charlotte in conjunction with some of the major private/sector interests in the community. The mission of the Center is to support the growth and development of entrepreneurial companies. It accomplishes this through its business incubator and international programs.

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.

Short courses, seminars, workshops and conferences designed to keep adults current and productive are offered through Continuing Education. Specific programs are provided each year for the continuing professional education of accountants, architects, managers in the public and private sectors, engineers, nurses, psychotherapists and counselors, teachers and other school personnel, information specialists, and elected public officials. Special lectures and forums also are offered in the arts, sciences, humanities, and public policy for the personal enrichment of all interested citizens.

Through Distance Education/Extension, courses for academic credit are offered at off-campus sites to serve citizens who live beyond easy commuting distance from the campus. Options for delivery include sending a UNC Charlotte faculty member to a remote 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 transmitting instruction via the Internet. The two video networks currently utilized by UNC Charlotte are the North Carolina Information Highway (NCIH) and the microwave network maintained by the Microelectronics Center of North Carolina (MCNC). In addition, the university has the ability to deliver educational programming over Cable Channel 22, which is the channel reserved for the university by the local cable service.

During the summer, the office schedules a variety of credit and non-credit programs on the campus and at approved off-campus sites.

Contact the Office of Continuing Education, Extension, and Summer Programs at 547-2424 for specific information about its programs.

The Office of Development, located in 1021 Colvard, is responsible for coordination of University efforts to secure financial support from the private sector and to serve as the receiving point for gifts of dollars, securities, works of art, land and equipment.

Through the Foundation of The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the General Alumni Association, Friends of UNCC, the Athletic Foundation and advisory boards, the various avenues of supporting the University are made known to individuals, corporations and foundations.

The Parents Association of UNC Charlotte exists to involve all parents of UNC Charlotte students in University activities. Through regular communication and campus activities, parents achieve a close rapport with the University. The Association supports UNC Charlotte through financial means, good will and recruitment of students. For information call (704) 547-2271.

The Foundation of The University of North Carolina at Charlotte was founded in 1960 and has had from its inception the goal of undergirding the University and assisting it in the quest for excellence. To accomplish its goals, the Foundation invites private contributions.

The Office of Public Relations, located in the Reese Building, 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; and (3) official University publications that are distributed to off-campus audiences. The Office distributes news and feature stories about University programs and its people as well as hometown releases about achievements of students. A weekly newsletter, Campus News, informs faculty and staff about campus activities. The Office maintains the University’s Home Page on the World Wide Web and provides assistance in printing official publications for University departments. The Office also publishes the University Magazine.

The UNC Charlotte Urban Institute develops and supports programs which give impetus to the University's urban mission. The Institute is a catalyst for projects designed to meet the applied research needs of urban and developing areas of the Charlotte Metropolitan region. It also provides administrative and technical support to organizations involved with issues of an urbanizing society. Projects are initiated by members of the faculty, community clients or the Institute staff and focus on a broad spectrum of urban topics, e.g., local government, the environment, land use, business assistance and economic development. Students may become involved in Institute projects as part-time research assistants or interviewers, or they may become involved with the Institute in conjunction with course work or degree requirements by writing term papers, graduate theses, or completing internships. The Institute’s program areas are:

Carolinas Land Conservation Network is a membership organization open to agencies and individuals who have an interest in the conservation of land in the central piedmont region of the Carolinas. The program maintains an information base of conservation initiatives in the region and implements research and educational activities relating to broadening the community’s understanding of the importance of conservation efforts.

Community Research and Service conducts needs assessments and public opinion surveys of both target and general populations focusing on issues of concern to local, regional and national clients. The program also provides support to government and community agencies in the planning and implementation of special projects and strategic planning activities.

Economic Development and Planning engages in research and planning for community, industrial and commercial development. Types of projects include land use plans, data collection and analysis for economic development, population estimates and projections, analysis of growth patterns, industrial targeting studies, housing research and the publication of regional business and political directories.

Evaluation Research provides research and evaluation services focusing on human service programs. Impartial, third-party program evaluation is provided to decision makers in government and private organizations for use in responsible financial management and long-term decision making regarding program policy and funding issues.

Southeast Waste Exchange promotes safe and cost-effective waste management and environmental protection. The program publishes a bi-monthly catalog containing listings for industrial by-products and surplus materials and conducts workshops on the topics of recycling and the safe management of hazardous waste materials.

Technical Services specializes in the application of microcomputer technology for public sector clients. A major, on-going project involves providing software support and training for a state-wide computerized school bus routing project. Other services include database design and desktop mapping projects for research and outreach projects.

The Center for Professional and Applied Ethics assists professionals and other clients locally, regionally and nationally in identifying, analyzing, and resolving ethical dilemmas. As a public service center, its focus is the practical and applied--not the theoretical and abstract. Its services include ethics audits, seminars, in-service education, ethics literature, and individual or institutional consultation.

The Mathematics and Science Education Center works closely with southwest regional teachers and school administrators to provide professional development activities for K-12 science and mathematics teachers in the form of cognate area and methodology updating and enhancement. The Center offers academic year and summer programs of varied topics and duration, and professional contacts through science and mathematics organizations. In addition, the Center operates both a Pre-College Program, to enhance the mathematics and science academic background of underrepresented, minority and female, middle through high school students; and a Summer Ventures Program for academically talented high school students. Contact the Mathematics and Science Education Center at (704) 547-4838 for specific information about its programs.