University Facilities
Current Plan for the Expenditure of Funds Provided by the
University/Community College Bond
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University Facilities |
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Current Plan for the Expenditure of Funds Provided by the |
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Introduction
On Nov. 7, 2000, North Carolina voters
overwhelmingly supported the $3.1-billion Higher Education Facilities Bond for
the UNC and Community College systems. UNC Wilmington’s share of this bond,
which totals approximately $108.1 million, will be used for building
construction and renovation and infrastructure improvement. Celebration
within the university system quickly turned to the development of a plan to
expend these funds in the most efficient and effective manner. A description of
this planning process follows along with information about how the campus
community will be able to stay informed as these projects take shape. The
initial plan, developed during the last two months, can be found on the
following three pages. This plan represents only the first step in a long and
difficult process - a process that will affect every member of the campus
community for the next several years.
Finally, without the support of the people
of North Carolina, many of these projects would have remained on the drawing
board for years to come. Because of their confidence in North Carolina's higher
education systems, we now have the opportunity to more effectively meet the
changing needs of the society we serve.
Process Used to Create Plan
The University’s Facilities Committee was
given the task of creating a plan for sequencing bond-funded projects. This
committee, which reports to the chancellor, consists of representatives from each of the university’s six
divisions. Beginning in mid-November of
2000, this group began
reviewing bond-funded projects using information provided by the UNC Office of
the President (OP). In most cases, the model used by the OP predetermines the
length of the planning and construction periods of each project. Since planning
for the School of Education is already completed, this project was logically
chosen as the first UNCW construction project. As a result, the university plans
to break ground on this facility during the fouth quarter of this calendar year.
On Jan. 19, the Board of Trustees approved staff recommendations for architects
on four projects - final architect selection takes place in Raleigh during the
next several months. With respect to renovations, it was decided that all
buildings would be vacated while these projects are completed. The committee
recommended and the chancellor and vice chancellors approved the concept of
using modular facilities as temporary offices for displaced personnel. In
addition, the first floor of Hoggard Hall will be used as temporary office space
at points during the next few years. Significant logistical problems will be
associated with all projects. To help the committee in this area, Robert Russell
from the provost’s office has been added to the above group. In addition to
his normal duties, Russell will serve as project manager for the multitude of
logistical issues related to the bond funded projects. In this role he will
report to the University Planning Office and will be a major contributor to the
university’s facilities World Wide Web site.
Continuing Information about Bond Funded
Projects
The Campus Communiqué and other
news sources including the Seahawk and UNCW-TV will publish stories and
announcements as the university begins to fully implement the plan shown on the
following pages. In addition, a "university facilities" Web site has
been created to carry information about various facets of the bond projects. The
address of this site is http://www.uncwil.edu/facilities/. Your comments and
suggestions will help the committee fully develop this and other
facilities-related information sources.