Trustees Endorse Increase in Student Fees

The UNC Pembroke Board of Trustees endorsed a 5.8 percent increase in student fees for the 2002-2003 school year.

Student fees, which are used for activities, technology, health services and retiring long-term debt, will increase to $970 from $917 in 2001-2002. Increases were recommended in all areas except long-term debt.

A committee of students, faculty and administration approved the increase. UNCP's student fees are currently the fourth lowest in the 16-campus UNC system.

The vote of the board was unanimous, and the increase will go to the UNC Board of Governors for final approval.

Athletic fees would increase to $350 from $335 (+ 4.5 percent), activity fees to $352 from $325 (+8.3 percent), technology fees to $112 from $105 (+6.7 percent), health service fees to $120 from $115 (+4.3 percent) and debt service fees would decrease to $36 from $37.

The student activity fee pays for student government, newspaper, yearbook, student theater, gym, band and chorus, among other activities. The debt service fee pays for the new track and soccer complex that is slated to open this spring.

In other business, the UNCP Board of Trustees approved the hiring of a construction management firm as general contractor for $8.24 million in renovations and additions to the Jones Athletic Center. The project includes air conditioning, new classrooms and an expanded facility for the athletic training program.

Low bidder Flintco of Memphis, Tenn., won contract with a bid of $200,000. Construction is expected to begin within a year, according to Neil Hawk, vice chancellor for Business Affairs.

NEW FACES

Angela Weston was approved as assistant secretary to the UNCP Board of Trustees. A West Point graduate, Ms. Weston recently assumed the position of special assistant to the chancellor. She replaces Beth Carmical, who is now director of International Programs and the new Multicultural Center.

Chancellor Meadors announced the opening of the Multicultural Center on Nov. 13. It is located in Old Main.

Dr. Meadors has met with representatives of the African American Student Organization (AASO), who protested at the opening of the center. The students say they were promised a Black culture center.

Chancellor Meadors said he is disappointed in the reaction of these students.

"We have not done a good job in mentoring them," he said. "We will continue working with this group."

NEW ATTORNEY

Chancellor Meadors announced the appointment of a full-time attorney for the university. Donna Payne, a UNC-Chapel Hill graduate from nearby Bladenboro will begin work Jan. 1.

There will be many more new faces on campus next year as the university searches for 32 new faculty members. Almost every department on campus is recruiting at least one new member, according to Dr. Roger Brown, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs.

The board also approved a list of 237 candidates for graduation in the Dec. 15 Winter Commencement.

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