Budget shortfall forces big changes at UNC Asheville (UNCA)
Layoffs shake faculty; chancellor drops “liberal” from school description
The University of North Carolina Asheville (UNCA) is facing a $6 million budget shortfall, leading to a series of drastic measures to address the financial crisis. The decline in enrollment, the steepest of any UNC system school, has been cited as the primary reason for the deficit.
Faculty Layoffs and Program Cuts
To address the budget deficit, UNCA is planning faculty layoffs, early retirements, and cuts to academic programs. This includes laying off a number of adjunct professors and possibly lecturers as well. The school is also reconfiguring its curriculum, shifting towards more sciences and away from humanities in hopes of attracting more students.
No More “Liberal” Arts
Chancellor Kimberly van Noort, in an effort to align the school’s description with its evolving curriculum, has decided to drop the word “liberal” from UNCA’s title, now calling it a “public arts and sciences university”.
Financial Incentives and Program Reviews
UNCA is offering financial incentives for eligible tenured faculty to retire. Additionally, a comprehensive review of academic offerings, with a focus on potential program cuts, is underway. The humanities program, a core part of UNCA’s curriculum, is likely to endure significant changes.
Enrollment Push and Strategic Visioning
Chancellor van Noort has been taking steps to increase enrollment, including offering free tuition to lower-income students and ramping up marketing efforts. A new strategic visioning process called “2030” has also been initiated to address the school’s long-term goals.
Asheville Watchdog is closely monitoring the situation at UNCA and will continue to provide updates on the school’s efforts to overcome its budget challenges.
Author: STAFF HERE ASHEVILLE WRITER
The ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAsheville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Asheville, Buncombe County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Asheville Bread Festival, LEAF Festival, and mountain sports tournaments at Biltmore Estate. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in hospitality and brewing that power the local economy such as the Biltmore Estate and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
