UNC Pembroke Will Freeze Hiring, Other Expenses

UNC Pembroke Chancellor Allen C. Meadors told the Board of Trustees that the state's budget crisis has forced the university to freeze non-essential expenditures for the next 60 days.

The university is facing a budget cut of between 4-10 percent for 2002-2003.

"It could take a decade to recover if they opt for the worst case senario," Chancellor Meadors said.

The freeze will affect travel, repairs and renovations, new hiring of non-teaching staff and other areas. The state's revenue shortfalls in April were "very disappointing," and the state faces a deficit of more than $1.5 billion, according to a letter to the universities from the state budget director.

"We will carry on," Chancellor Meadors said. "We will continue to give our students the best educational experience."

In other business, enrollment, freshman retention and minority faculty recruitment continue to improve, Chancellor Meadors told the board.

"It has been a record positive year," Chancellor Meadors said.

The university expects a record freshman class of about 800 students next fall, compared to 700 in 2001 and 579 in 2000. Enrollment has increased 33 percent to nearly 4,000 since 1999.

Freshman retention improved by two percentage points.

Since 1999, the number of African American professors increased 140 percent to 12. Latino professors are up 100 percent to six, and Native American professors are up 33 percent, Chancellor Meadors reported.

PARKING, OTHER

Parking fees next year will increase for all but staff of the university.

Faculty and top administrators will pay $66 for the year, an increase of $10.

Resident students will pay $66, and increase of $10. Commuter students will pay $45, an increase of $10.

The Board of Trustees approved Suitt Construction Company of Raleigh to manage the $16 million construction of new science labs and renovation of the Oxendine Science Building.

The board also certified 334 students to graduate on May 11. Thirty-two will receive graduate degrees.

Three professor emeritus titles were approved for retiring or retired professors: Dr. Peter Wish, a 25-year veteran of the Biology Department; Dr. Josef Mandel, a 29-year veteran English professor and Dr. David Eliades, a 34-year veteran history professor.

Dr. Andrew Ash will become chair of the Biology Department. Dr. William Campbell is chair of the Mathematics and Computer Science Department. Dr. Anthony Curtis, who comes to the university from the Union Institute and University, is the new chair of the Mass Communications Department.

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