Institutional Sustainability Committee Updates
Institutional Sustainability Committee Updates
Personnel, enrollment and financial resources represent the foundation of an institution’s long-term sustainability. Strengthening these aspects will be crucial for UNCSA to efficiently and effectively fulfill its mission.
Personnel Sustainability
- Quality Workplace Committee – Staff Enrichment (Spring 2025) – 23 workshops with 355 attendees. Example topics include Byte Size Tech, Chrome River, Institutional Engagement, Budget vs Accounting, Cancer Support Group, and SACS reaccreditation.
- Human Resources has actively supported personnel sustainability by implementing technology-driven solutions to improve efficiency and support recruitment and retention efforts. One example, the “copy” feature in PeopleAdmin has been enabled, allowing managers and supervisors to duplicate prior-year performance work plans without retyping or manually copying content, streamlining the process and reducing workload. Additionally, HR partnered with JobElephant to automate job posting transfers to the HERC website at no additional cost to the university, eliminating the need for manual entry.
- Developed a three-year plan to bring faculty salaries closer to market beginning in spring 2025. Spring funding is authorized and available. Multiple paths for funding years 2 and 3 are identified and will be refined based on the outcomes of various initiatives.
- Received a Police and Public Safety grant that benefits our officers’ health and wellbeing.
- Quality Workplace Committee - Staff Enrichment (fall 2024) – 26 workshops with 429 attendees. Example topics include Byte Size Tech, Chrome River, Institutional Engagement, Budget vs Accounting, Cancer Support Group, and SACS reaccreditation.
- Chancellor Cole shared the results of the UNC System’s 2024 Employee Engagement Survey with campus. UNCSA continued to see an increase in our overall positive rating rising from 54% in 2020 to 62% in 2022 to 64% in 2024. Details of the latest results will be reviewed and used to make further improvements.
- The State introduced Bereavement Leave for permanent staff in September 2024, the university adopted this policy that prioritizes the emotional and personal needs of employees. This initiative fosters a supportive and safe environment, enabling staff to feel secure in managing the loss of loved ones.
- 3% Legislative Salary Increase for all permanent employees effective July 1, 2024
- Administered UNC System Employee Engagement Survey. Results will be received in fall 2024.
- Quality Workplace Committee - Staff Enrichment (spring 2024) – 26 workshops with 301 attendees. Totals for FY24 – 66 workshops with 771 attendees. Example topics include Byte Size Tech, Slips and Falls, Position Control and Lapsed Salary, Spring Gardening Tips, Voter ID Rules.
- Human Resources launched Electronic Personnel Action Forms (EPAFs) to increase efficiency, eliminate paper, and improve tracking. The Electronic Personnel Action Form (EPAF, or PAF) is a function of Banner that allows UNCSA to create paperless personnel actions. EPAFs provide a more efficient routing of temporary employment actions and allow an electronic approval process. Approximately 88 people have been trained to use EPAFS, including all art schools and liberal arts, as well as every department that consistently hires temporary employees.
- Launched supervisor’s onboarding guide on Canvas to improve hiring and onboarding experience from start to finish.
- Continued to build staff enrichment offerings and participation. Fall 2023 included 27 workshops (from technology skills to insights into performances and wellness), with 311 participants. Feedback is extremely positive.
- Continued to work towards consolidating technology platforms (moving off Superman and doing more with MS TEAMS). Launched the UNCSA Campus app (on Pathify) to improve communications and engagement.
- Implemented People Admin for position control and performance management to eliminate paper, and streamline the processes.
- Developed an employee on-boarding guide in Canvas for roll out in late summer 2023.
- The Quality Workplace Committee is focused on staff enrichment, including professional development and wellness opportunities for all staff during the school year. Between January and May 2023, nearly 300 participants attended 28 workshops and trainings (technical trainings, interpersonal skills trainings and wellness activities).
Enrollment Sustainability
- UNCSA hired David Sigman as Vice Provost for Enrollment Management starting May 1, 2025.
- UNCSA exceeded the admitted student goal of 855 for the 2024-25 application season, with 863 admitted students at the end of May 2025.
- UNCSA currently has 523 active deposited students, which is 97.6% of the deposited student goal and an increase of 17% over 2024 at the end of May 2025.
- New student registration will open on June 16, the earliest incoming student registration in UNCSA's history.
- The decision was made to purchase the Ad Astra software for Enrollment Management as well as other units, to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of class scheduling, academic planning, and event management.
- Fall 2024 enrollment headcount increased to 1367 compared to 1328 for fall 2023.
- Fall Preview Days were held for each Art School to host prospective students, applicants, and their families. Each school hosted a day geared specifically for their students to engage with the faculty and obtain information for that specific art school.
- An Assistant Director of Data and Operations was hired. This position is critical in supporting the customer relationship management system (CRM) which allows the institution to contact, create and maintain relationships with prospective students and applicants. This system is also critical as it tracks and supplies the institution with recruitment and applicant data.
- The customer relationship management system (CRM) underwent a system review. The institution decided to update the system instance to maintain data accuracy, enhance the recruitment and application processes managed by the admissions counselors as well as increase the marketing presence using the CRM tool.
- Application Submissions up 4% YTD. Enrollment Deposits up 8% YTD.
- In response to the need to keep newly admitted students engaged and decrease melt, each of the art schools hosted their respective Admitted Student Day events (Drama hosts an entire weekend). The events ranged from guest film lecturers and dance premieres to dessert receptions and Opera showings. These events have been proven to bolster engagement, help form friendships, roommate pairings, and build camaraderie amongst the new incoming class. It is so important for students to feel connected to the institution before classes start in August.
- Spring Enrollment Initiative - For Spring ’24, we set a goal of 10 students, and we successfully enrolled 12 students. This initiative makes our institution more desirable to transfer and non-traditional students. The goal for Spring ’25 will be 30 students. Admissions will work with Strat Comm to develop a marketing strategy that directly speaks to Spring recruitment.
- Admissions Counselors traveled to 60+ locations and participated in high school presentations, college fairs, studio visits and arts-based conferences. The goal of these trips is to provide access to all communities and recruit top artists from across the country.
- NC Countdown to College (C2C), yielded 135 applications, across all conservatories (+30 applications more than last year), with 96% of C2C applications from Tier I or II counties. More than 25% of applicants indicated they are first-generation to college.
- As of Nov. 13, 2023 applications are up 15% across all conservatories and degree levels, year over year. Undergraduate applications are up 15%. and high school applications are up 37%.
- The Office of Admissions also implemented a Spring Enrollment Recruitment Plan to recover some of the loss from Fall '23 attrition and melt. This effort enrolled 10 additional students for January 2024. Next year's goal is to enroll 30 with a more robust communication plan and intentional recruitment efforts.
- As of June 1, 2023, applications are up 9% and enrollment numbers are slightly ahead, year over year. The team is working to achieve full enrollment by August.
- UNCSA received a gift from the William R. Kenan Charitable Trust of $2.28 million to support our Posse Arts Scholarship initiative.. This funding will provide operating support for the next 3 years and bring the number of participants to 36.
- Increased four-year graduation rate to 77.37% in 2022, against a goal of 80%.
- For the first time, UNCSA participated in the NC Countdown to College program, where
high school seniors receive an application fee waiver when they submit the FAFSA,
complete NC residency documents and submit admissions applications to NC universities
in mid-October. For UNCSA, this yielded 105 applications.
- 96% of that group were from NC Tier I & II counties.
- 25% of that group were noted as first-generation to college.
- 24% of that group were admitted and/or have made a commitment to attend UNCSA in the fall.
Facilities Sustainability
- Stevens Center – Comprehensive Renovation Phase 1
- Phase 1 construction phase is in progress and approx. 60% complete. Scheduled construction completion date Fall 2026.
- Stevens Center – Comprehensive Renovation Phase 2
- Advanced Planning completed in November 2024. Building Design in progress and scheduled for completion early 2026. Construction scheduled from Jan. 2027 -November 2028.
- High School Residence Hall Replacement project
- Capital Project Request documentation submitted for UNC BOG consideration approved. The update includes funding to expand the high school residence hall to match future needs.
- Solicited RFQ for Housing Masterplan Update in 2024.
- HS Housing Master Plan completed in Summer 2025.
- D&P Shops – Install air conditioning and humidity control. Project design is in progress.
- Stream Restoration – streambank restoration and storm water management. Project design is in progress.
- Kenan Drive renovation project. Project adds parking and reconfigures parking spaces on the streambank side all along Kenan Drive, from Lower Housing to the Police Station, and Lot O, along with improving subgrade utilities. Project design is in progress.
- Stevens Center – Comprehensive Renovation Phase 1
- Phase 1 construction phase is in progress. Scheduled construction completion date 2025.
- Stevens Center – Comprehensive Renovation Phase 2
- Advanced Planning completed in November 2024.
- High School Residence Hall Replacement project
- Submitted updated Capital Project Request documentation to UNC BOG consideration. The update includes funding to expand the high school residence hall to match future needs.
- Solicited RFQ for Housing Masterplan Update in 2024.
- Successfully bid Phase 1 of the Stevens Center renovation project. GMP within project budget.
- Started construction for Stevens Center renovation Phase 1 - April 16, 2024
- Posted RFQ for Design Services for Advanced Planning – Stevens Center renovation Phase 2.
- Interviewed and selected Design Firm for Advanced Planning – Stevens Center renovation Phase 2.
- Posted RFQ for CMR Preconstruction Services - Stevens Center renovation Phase 2.
- Interviewed and selected CMR for Preconstruction Services – Stevens Center renovation Phase 2.
- Completed Stevens Center Phase 1 renovation construction drawing package. Review in progress.
- Completed analysis of Stevens Center structural steel. No major issues identified.
- Closed Stevens Center and turned over to Blum Construction to begin preparation for Phase 1 renovation.
- Received $51 M in funding to complete the Stevens Center renovation Phase 2.
- Received approval from UNC System Office and Board of Governors for a $24M capital project for a new high school residence hall. Stakeholders and senior administrators met to develop a scope of work that will be used for discussions with UNCSO for final scope and budget.
- Re-roofing of major campus instructional and performance spaces. Building envelopes have been extended by 20+ years.
- Annual repair and rennovation expenditures indicate a 20.89% project execution rate (highest in the UNC System).
- Completed design drawings for the Steven Center Phase I renovation project. The renovation will begin November 15, 2023, and is expected to take 2 years to complete.
- The NC House and Senate budgets authorize Phase II of the Stevens Center renovation project at the requested $51 million.
- The NC House also authorized $25 million for a new High School residence hall several years out in the future. The NC Senate chose not to plan that far out.
- Renovated and reopened a house on Main Street and spaces in A-F to bolster guest artist housing.
- Interviewed and selected design firms for the Stevens Center Renovations Phase 1. The Advanced Planning Phase of the project was completed and approved in October 2022. Schematic Design began December 2022 and will be complete in September 2023. Construction activities will start in November 2023.
Fiscal Sustainability
- Raised over $17 Million (projected) in private funds, vs goal of $15.1 Million, making this the second-best fundraising year in UNCSA history, behind the launch year of our last campaign.
- Exceeded annual benchmark of 20% planned gifts during a pre-campaign year.
- Continued preparations for campaign readiness:
- Engaged internationally renowned expert Jim Langley as UNCSA’s campaign consultant, bringing him to campus multiple times to collaborate with deans and other campus leadership.
- With the help and guidance of Jim Langley, made significant progress on the development of transformational philanthropic ideas for the next comprehensive campaign.
- Expanded our capabilities in Prospect Management and Research, enabling us to significantly grow our prospective pool of donors and establish a future pipeline of philanthropy.
- Expanded our capabilities in Planned Giving, resulting in growth in this critical area from 1% last year to over 20% this year, as well as the ability to offer a full range of planned giving options.
- Held the 3rd Annual Campus Budget Info Session to continue to increase awareness and transparency.
- Continuing to develop an automatic feed from StarRez to Banner for Housing and Meal Assignments, which will eliminate duplicate keying.
- Utilizing a folder/pressure sealer to save employee time. Using for Payroll checks and 1099 forms. Finalizing the last step to enable use for Accounts Payable checks. Will be used for W2 and 1098-T forms next year.
- Raised over $7 Million in private funds (vs annual goal of $15.1), including over $4.4 Million for scholarships.
- Continued progress toward campaign readiness:
- Engaged internationally renowned expert Jim Langley as UNCSA’s campaign consultant.
- With the help and guidance of Jim Langley, began initial development of transformational philanthropic ideas for the next comprehensive campaign.
- Continued to implement staffing plan to support the next comprehensive campaign, including expanding the Annual / Leadership Annual Giving team and the Donor Relations / Communications team.
- Expanded and reorganized the Prospect Management and Research team, making it a part of Advancement Services within the UNCSA Foundation, and enabling us to significantly grow our prospective pool of donors and establish a future pipeline of philanthropy.
- Expanded our resources and capabilities in Planned Giving, resulting in growth in this critical area from 1% last year to 13% YTD.
- Implemented a new campus parking management system, implemented new PowerQuery automated reports for A/P and A/R, and tested new PowerBI tool to code transactions to particular productions and projects. These changes are part of our ongoing effort to improve campus services and ensure more efficient and effective operations.
- Began implementing the new Microsoft phone system. The new phone system will increase efficiency in the use of resources.
- Utilizing a folder/pressure sealer for physical P/R checks, A/P checks, and tax forms. We are live with P/R checks, and will be live with 1098-T tax forms in 2025. This saves employee time from folding and stuffing forms.
- Held the 2nd Annual Campus Budget Info Session to increase awareness and transparency. The following topics were discussed: FY24 Funding Changes, the UNC System Funding Model, Recurring State Funding, and final FY24 Funding Allocations.
- Shared Budget Information presentations specifically with some of the Art Schools to increase awareness and engagement.
- Completed testing of the new Microsoft phone system and will begin implementation in July 2024. The new phone system will increase efficiency in the use of resources.
- Completed set-up and testing of the new Police and Public Safety parking system. The new parking system, which will increase efficiency in the use of resources, will be launched in July 2024.
- Police and Public Safety have identified and began work on their first grant, which will be open for submission in Fall 2024. This is an opportunity for us to generate revenue from other outside sources to purchase needed safety items and equipment.
- Continuing to expand process improvement through use of Dynamic Forms (which allow for electronic completion and approvals), and then automatic posting into the Banner ERP System (e.g. – direct pay requests and journal entries).
- Continuing to improve employee workload and efficiency by creating Power BI dashboards and reports, specific to users’ needs (e.g. – Student Accounts Receivables processing and shadow systems for arts schools), eliminating a legacy platform resulting in a cost savings.
- Implementing new parking system for Police and Pubic Safety for cost savings.
- Piloting a new phone system for cost savings.
- Looking into possible grant opportunities for Police and Public Safety.
- Created and implemented a new finance data portal to enhance business practices, increase awareness and engage campus partners. In early April 2023 an all-employee meeting was held to review the portal including training on how to use it.
- Implemented ESM Solutions ("Pickle Mart") software that streamlines the procurement process, reduces costs and improves operational efficiency. The software is cloud-based and integrates with Banner.
- A team worked to identify an extensive list of revenue opportunities to address needs on campus. Three promising revenue-generating areas include enrollment growth, grants and partnerships, and programming capacity. The team is working on next steps.