UNCA chief fields questions on property acquisition plans, other universities vying in city
fine institutions.” From Staff Reports Nonetheless, she then noted that “UNC During a brief question-and-answer period Asheville SATs are over 1,200” and reiterated following her address, UNC Asheville Chanthe university extensive number of national cellor Anne Ponder fielded a number of quesrankings. “It’s a different style. We’re pleased tions about property acquisition and competition from other schools moving into Asheville to have those institutions compete. I don’t during an Oct. 25 Leadership Asheville Forum. think it will affect UNC Asheville at all.” First, a LAF member asked about Gov. Pat She added that “we have brought the UNC McCrory’s recent remarks that challenged the School of Pharmacy to the UNC Asheville value of a liberal arts education. campus. We went and got the second best “Here’s what I say and what I advocate: If in the country and we think we’ve got (a you are interested in practical education — situation) to make it the best in the country.” what you need in the leaders of the future ... Ponder noted that UNCA took the tack of pigthe members of this group in the future... is gybacking with an excellent program, rather to master a number of things in a number of than “starting our own pharmacy school. fields…. You need to be able to have multiple “We also have very good N.C. State perspectives,” which is programs in megatronics, only provided by a liberal environmental engineering” “We have earned arts education, she said. and other fields, she said. the reputation of beAnother LAF member “The other thing we’ve done ing great members of in master’s programs is we’ve asked about UNCA’s plans on property acquisition. got a robust MLA program — the community and “We have been very Master of Liberal Arts.... making a buck go a fortunate during this reces“I do think what will help, long way.” not just in Asheville, will help sion and recovery to be … universities to succeed is able to fund acquisition of — Anne Ponder not to try to be all things to all property for this univerUNCA’s chancellor people. We need to strategisity,” Ponder replied. cally align with our missions. “We have a deep “We’re now in a mission review process (at conviction that UNC Asheville is of Asheville colleges and universities) across the state. At — and is in the right place. And even though UNC Asheville, we’re done (already). We’re we don’t know precisely how we might use that clear in our mission. Thank you for the property in the future, we are not confident it will be available. We think the university could opportunity to be with you today.” and should do what it can to acquire it. “The first was the Rhodes property, at Merrimon and Weaver (Boulevard). That came to us in December 2008. We acquired 10 acres and a house. We have not done anything but assign a temporary use. And we have a community garden for our students.” “We know we will be doing a campus master plan process. “The year before last, the MAHEC on Weaver Boulevard decided they’d be efficient by consolidating in South Asheville,” so “we now own 118 W.T. Weaver Blvd. and are renovating it. It’s perfect and a gorgeous addition to our campus.... “We are in the process of talking with area property-owners…. So far, what we have done is to recommend” the purchase, as approved by Board of Directors, of the 525 Broadway property from the Momentum or Health Adventure. “We actually took a tragedy for Asheville and made it into something good. We’re now moving through the Raleigh part of the process.” Ponder added, “There are other parcels along Broadway in the old park property and other properties along the boundary of the campus that we are working on.” With a note of pride, she asserted, “We have earned the reputation of being great members of the community and making a buck go a long way.” Another LAF asked, “Western Carolina University, Lenoir-Rhyne University and others. have all moved new locations to Asheville (recently) — and what’s that say about Asheville? How will that affect things for UNCA?” “Thank you,” Ponder said to the questioner. “Asheville is the population center for Western North Carolina.... We’re in the era of satellite campuses… We (at UNCA) have no interest in that. We think it’s most valuable” to have a campus where faculty and students freely interact “live.” Further, the chancellor said, “All of the organizations you mentioned — they’re all
Asheville Daily Planet — November 2013 — A9
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