University Newswire
Contact:
Scott Bigelow | 910.521.6351 | scott.bigelow@uncp.edu
University Communications and Marketing
Monday, March 6, 2006
Trustees pave the way for continued growth at UNCP
Record-shattering enrollment continued into its 13th consecutive semester this spring at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Chancellor Allen C. Meadors reported February 24 to the Board of Trustees.
Enrollment in the spring semester is 5,336 compared with 5,132 for spring 2005, Meadors said. (Enrollment data is calculated separately for spring and fall semesters.)
“Perhaps the most remarkable number is the growth of American Indian student enrollment,” he said. “The Office of Admissions does a remarkable job recruiting in our local community.”
There are 1,100 American Indians enrolled at UNCP in the spring semester 2006 compared with 686 in 1999.
Enrollment growth is expected to continue, University officials said. Applications for fall 2006 are up 14.5 percent for freshmen and 18 percent for transfer students, said Admissions Director Lela Clark.
To pave the way for continued growth, the Board of Trustees approved construction of a new 360-bed, four-story residence hall. It will cost approximately $15 million and be ready for occupancy in fall 2007.
The trustees also approved leasing 40 beds at Courtyard Apartments for fall 2006. Student housing occupancy is 97 percent this spring, according to Dr. Diane Jones, vice chancellor for Student Affairs.
OTHER BUSINESS
- Negotiations to purchase a lot and house adjacent to its property on the west side of campus, was also approved by the board. It is owned by P.J. Smith, UNCP’s wrestling coach and aquatics director.
- The board also gave the green light to negotiations to lease the former Sheff’s Restaurant for offices for the Thomas Family Entrepreneurship Center. The building is located across 3rd Street from the University and was most recently occupied by Healthkeeperz.
- The trustees approved the naming of a new classroom building for Oscar R. Sampson. Ground for the $7 million building was broken in mid-February, and a groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for March 9 at 10 a.m. A schoolteacher and minister, Sampson was one of the first students at UNCP and was a member of the board of trustees for 32 years, serving 30 years as chairman.
- In other reports, Sandy Waterkotte, vice chancellor for the Office for Advancement, reported that giving at the University reached $2.67 million during the first half of the 2005-06 year, more than double last year’s total. Giving for the First and Ten Campaign for Football has reached $1 million.
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