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The University of North Carolina Facts and
Figures
- The University of North Carolina was the first public university in the United States to
open its doors and the only one to graduate students in the eighteenth century.
- The first class was admitted in Chapel Hill in 1795. By 1972 all of the state’s
public education institutions that grant baccalaureate degrees had become part of the
University of North Carolina through legislative action.
- The 16 campuses of the University—located across N.C.—have a combined
enrollment of more than 155,000 students.
- UNC encompasses large research institutions, leading historically black campuses,
regional and liberal arts institutions, and the unique School of the Arts. This diversity
is one of UNC’s greatest strengths and allows it to meet widespread and evolving
needs of the state.
- UNC campuses collectively offer more than 200 degree programs and graduate more than
30,000 students each year. Undergraduates account for more than 80 percent of UNC’s
total enrollment.
- UNC programs include an array of distinguished liberal-arts programs, two medical
schools and one teaching hospital, two law schools, a veterinary school, a school of
pharmacy, ten nursing programs, 15 schools of education, three schools of engineering, and
a specialized school for performing artists.
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Governance
- The Board of Governors is elected by the General Assembly and is legally charged with
the governance of the University. The 32 voting members of the board elect UNC’s
president who administers the University.
- Individual campuses are headed by chancellors, elected by the board and responsible to
the president. Each UNC campus also has its own board of trustees, to which extensive
powers have been delegated by the Board of Governors.
High quality; low cost
- UNC serves the people of N.C. through a three-part mission: teaching, research, and
service. Teaching remains the core mission of every UNC campus.
- In keeping with our state’s important and longstanding tradition, UNC’s
in-state tuition rates are among the lowest in the nation. Only Arizona, Florida, Idaho,
and Nevada charge less.
- In setting tuition rates, the Board of Governors considers a combination of factors
including indicators of family affordability, estimated impact on student access, an
analysis of student indebtedness, the availability of General Fund revenues, and the size
of the University’s expansion budget.
- In U.S. News and World Report’s 1999 rankings of best colleges, UNC-Chapel Hill is
listed as the fifth best public university in the nation; four UNC
campuses—Appalachian State University, East Carolina University, UNC Charlotte, and
UNC Wilmington—are ranked among the top 25 public regional universities (Southern
region).
- In a recent survey of graduates, 91 percent expressed satisfaction with the quality of
instruction they received at UNC.
- UNC is committed to academic and scientific research. Its faculty
and graduate students are leaders in research targeting diseases
such as cystic fibrosis, cancer, and arthritis. UNC researchers
are also nationally prominent in numerous fields including agricultural
engineering, virtual reality, marine sciences, and biotechnology.
- In 1999, UNC faculty attracted over $600 million in external grants for research and
other sponsored programs--only the Universities of California and Texas attract more. In
this way, UNC leverages the State’s investment and fosters economic growth.
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Public Service
- UNC’s two land-grant institutions, NC A&T and NC State, have a special mandate
to serve the citizens of N.C. through extension activities. The North Carolina Extension
Service reaches all 100 N.C. counties through educational programs based on the issues and
needs of the communities.
- With nine centers across N.C., the North Carolina Area Health Education Center Program
is dedicated to improving the quality, quantity, and distribution of health professionals
across the state, particularly in its rural communities.
- UNC-TV’s 11 stations cover more than 95 percent of the state and reach more than 2
million viewers weekly. Nearly 40 percent of its broadcast schedule is devoted to
preparing children for school.
- During the academic year 1997-98, over 88,000 N.C. students received more than
$228,000,000 in student financial aid funds through the programs of the North Carolina
State Education Assistance Authority.
Strategic Priorities
In responding to the state’s new and evolving needs, UNC’s efforts are guided
by a set of strategic priorities including:
- EXPANDING ACCESS to the University
Over the next decade, UNC campuses will be called upon to absorb upwards of 48,000
additional students. The University is exploring new ways to serve these students where
they live and work though expanded use of distance learning and collaborative arrangements
with community colleges and businesses.
- support of the PUBLIC SCHOOLS
North Carolina’s projected K-12 enrollment growth for the next 10 years is the
fourth largest in the nation. The UNC Division for University-School Programs was created
to focus University resources on the needs of the public schools and to facilitate
coordinated efforts among sister UNC campuses and other agencies and organizations.
- adapting UNC to the INFORMATION AGE
With the help of the N.C. General Assembly, UNC is making headway in completing basic
information-technology infrastructure on all 16 campuses. This year, 95 percent of workers
use information technology in their jobs. UNC must work to prepare its students for the
sorts of skills necessary to be competitive in the workplace.
- building PARTNERSHIPS across the sectors of education, government, and
business
UNC recognizes the necessity to expand opportunities for research and education through
strategic alliances with government and the private sector. Areas of potential for N.C.
include biotechnology, computer networking, financial services, and marine sciences.
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Building for the New Millennium—UNC’s Capital Financing
- In April 1999 the UNC Board of Governors approved Building for the New Millennium, the
report emerging from a comprehensive study—called for in a 1997 special
provision—of the relative equity and adequacy of capital facilities on UNC’s 16
campuses. As required by a follow-up provision enacted in the 1998 short session, the
report also included a ten-year capital spending plan for UNC. Prepared by higher
education consultant Eva Klein, the report identified capital needs totaling $6.9 billion.
- The report proposed that UNC’s capital needs be financed through increased funding
from the General Assembly, coupled with new University-based funding, private-sector
development, and increased private giving. In addition, Klein concluded that the
state’s traditional pay-as-you-go approach to capital funding would fall far short of
the amount needed to repair, modernize, and expand UNC facilities and that alternative
financing—principally bond financing—was needed to effectively implement the
ten-year capital plan.
- Nearly 800 UNC buildings need significant repairs or modernization, with the greatest
deficiencies found in science and technology labs. Building rehabilitation is by far the
largest component of UNC’s ten-year capital plan.
- On the guidance of State Treasurer Harlan Boyles, the Board of Governors unanimously
endorsed in concept proposed legislation that would provide new and expanded mechanisms
for financing UNC’s capital needs. Given anticipated enrollment growth and the
lengthy lead time required to construct new state buildings and modernize old ones, it is
critical that such legislation be passed.
- In June 1998 the Board ratified a Phase I five-year capital plan totaling $4.99 million.
The plan outlined UNC’s highest-priority projects and included not only those
considered appropriate for full or partial state support, but also those that would be
financed through University-issued bonds, private gifts, or private-sector development.
- Over the years, the General Assembly has been generous to UNC when capital funds were
available. Since 1989, the state has appropriated an average of $86.7 million per year for
UNC projects. But because of the state’s traditional pay-as-you-go approach, capital
funding to UNC has fluctuated widely, ranging from $1.6 million in 1990 to $125 million in
1997. This practice also has favored new construction over renovations.
- Public investments in the University have not been able to keep pace with the increasing
demand for higher education and its importance to the economic viability of the state. UNC
expects to enroll some 48,000 additional students over the next decade. Six campuses,
including the four largest, have space shortages today. By 2008, ten campuses will be at
or beyond their physical capacity.
- Although the bond approach proposed in legislation last year
was sound, fiscally prudent, and within the authority of the General
Assembly, the political issue of requiring a vote of the people
polarized the legislature. All efforts at compromise failed.
- While legislators couldn’t reach an agreement on how to
meet UNC’s needs in the short term, progress was made during
the 1999 session. Before adjourning, the legislature authorized
a special study commission—the Joint Select Committee on
Higher Education Facilities Needs—to examine the capital
needs of UNC and the community colleges. Over the next few months,
that group will consider the findings of the Eva Klein report
and other relevant studies, and explore a range of financing options.
The Joint Select Committee began its work on February 28, 2000,
and will complete a series of UNC campus/community college tours
scheduled through April 2000.
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