• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_2011-05-27_Vol77_No07_03

sae eee ee eee ; | ' a | | Page 3 WESTERN CAROLINIAN May 27th, 2011 NEWS Possibility of university enrollment cap discussed in North Carolina Lauren Gray, Staff Writer Could the UNC school system start implementing an attendance cap on enroll- ment? According to the Charlotte Observer, with all of the bud- get cuts and an anticipated $500 million cut for the 2011- 2012 year, Bradley Wilson, a former chairman of the UNC systems Board of Governors ,said Weve always said we want to keep the doors open _ __ as wide as we can. The ques- tion is, can we afford that any- more? Hannah Gage, chair- woman of the UNC systems Board of Governors, also said Tf we end up with 14 or 15 percent cuts this year, well have to decide whether pro- tecting quality is more im- portant than growth. The only - thing that makes sense is to consciously say, We cant grow anymore, according to the Charlotte Observer. North Carolina subsidizes the cost of every N.C. resi- dents education at all public universities. The UNC system has requested $45 million in additional. funding to accom- modate growing enrollment and attendance for next year. The requested $45 million, however, does not meet Gov. Bev Perdues spending goal of only $23 million. - What does this mean for our university? Will atten- dance be lowered at WCU? Phil Cauley, Director of Student Recruitment and Transitions at WCU, said, Our hope is that mandatory caps on attendance would not be implemented at the state or etc. system level. 4 The true cost of providing a college education at Western Carolina University exceeds the tuition, fees, and room and board that North Carolinians are billed; the state under- writes a significant portion of the tuition explained Cauley. Reductions in state fund- ing, through either caps on enrollment or reductions on the amount of funding per student, will have negative consequences. This can affect enrollment numbers and what kind of quality college experi- ence students will have who are still able to enroll. State reductions or caps that restrict enrollment have a domino effect on non-state revenues and resources as well, Cauley said. Drops in student enrollment would reduce non-state budgets that are based upon enrollment numbers like funds for stu- dent activities like concerts, . residential living funds for building renovations or im- provements, health services resources, athletic ' support, Students can already see- ing some of the effects of bud- get cuts at WCU. Coley said the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program traditionally enrolls new student cohorts every fall and spring semester; however, the program will not enroll new students into this high- demand program this com- ing fall because, of limited resources. Will the overall enrollment of WCU be effected? Will we see a drop in numbers for the new year? Western Carolina University sophomore Nick Stone, of Forest City (second fom left), moves in nies fall. Iti is spake howe many wy sialon will be on campus this year. Cauley said that WCU is hoping enrollment this fall will exceed 9,500, unless up- coming budget cuts or enroll- ment restrictions negatively impact those goals. Currently, it is unknown how:-many stu- dents will be in Cullowhee this fall. Sam Miller, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs at Western Carolina, said that the university will not be able to determine enrollment num- bers until students show up because they have until the: first day of classes to fully pay their bill. . Will a decreased enroll- ment affect financial aid? Even if less students at- tend WCU, that does not mean more financial aid to each individual student, said Trina Orr, Director of Finan- cial Aid. Financial Aid is awarded according to federal and state methodology based on appropriations. We do have increased financial aid appli- cations with diminishing re- sources. For right now, an enroll- ment cap will continue to be | a debated topic in the UNC school system and in the state. legislature. Though WCU may not see.an enrollment cap anytime soon, other universi- ties in the UNC system, like UNC Charlotte, may see en- _rollment caps as early as next year, according to reports, be- cause their enrollment num- bers have skyrocketed in re- cent years. FILE PHOTO sopesdeteressnacenterssesp step nnersronyed COI aa irre Rott anaes cian aa cmeticarce inte a ai) Mea Tu Hany aaai en nee Ame CAE MUN Drea Vas Mt Te Gato tat cGdkt pattas CULAR PENS LRN Uta Ss cclcnetbyes Nie s Aa ANS OME CtonetetS UaNC ARN Aaa canny We var) Fe recasters expect above . Justin Caudell, Editor-in-Chief On the heels of an already devastating tornado season and a stormy spring, forecast- ers with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) are calling for an above-average Atlantic hurri- cane season this year. Across the entire Atlantic Basin for the six-month sea- son, which begins June 1 and lasts until Nov. 30, NOAA is predicting 12 to 18 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which six to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), and three to six could become major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher). Each of these ranges has a 70 percent likelihood of occurring according to fore- casters, indicating that activ- ity will exceed the seasonal average of 11 named storms, six hurricanes.and two major hurricanes. 19 storms, of which 12 became hurricanes and five reaching major status, formed last year in the Atlanticthe Lubchenco, : highest number of formed - storms since the 2005 season, which included Hurricanes Katrina and Rita that dev- astated the Gulf Coastbut none truly battered the United | States. Thats because, though storms were strong, the jet stream and low wind shear caused most of the storms to remain in the open ocean in the Atlantic basin, said Jane Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. The United States was fortunate last year. Winds steered most of the sea- sons tropical storms and all hurricanes away from our coastlines, Lubchenco said. However we cant count on luck to get us through this sea- son. We need to be prepared, especially with this above- normal outlook. Three predominate climate factors are shaping NOAAs forecast this year, including the continuing high tropical activity era. Since 1995, the tropical multi-decadal sig- nal has brought ocean and - atmospheric Lh inoue con- ducive for development. in _sync, leading to more active Atlantic hurricane seasons. Subsequently, warm Atlantic Ocean water temperatures, which fuels tropical forma- tion and where storms often develop and move across, are up to two degrees Fahrenheit (warmer-than-average). Also, La Nifiaa cooling of the waters in the Pacific Otean though expected to dissipate later this month or in June, its impacts such as reduced wind shear are expected to continue into the hurricane season. In addition to multiple climate factors, seasonal cli- mate models also indicate an above-normal season is likely, and even suggest we _ could see activity comparable to.some of the active poasons since 1995, said Gerry Bell, - Ph.D., lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at NOAAs Climate Prediction Center located in Asheville. The first tropical system for2011 will be named Arlene upon reaching tropical storm ee with sustained winds area. : oF at De 39 mph. But ee YY NOAA cannot pinpoint when and where any tropical storms . may form, they, in partner- ship with the Federal Emer- gency Management Agency (FEMA), are holding a Na- tional Hurricane Preparedness Week in the U.S. this week to inform citizens on how to be safe if a hurricane hits their North Carolina Gov. , Bev Perdue also proclaimed May 22-28 as Hurricane Pre- paredness Week in the state. Residents are urged to cre- ate family emergency plans and prepare supply kits that should include a flashlight, radio, nonperishable food and a gallon of water per person, per day, to last three to seven days. Residents also are en- couraged to review and up- date homeowners insurance policies now to make sure they include coverage. for ac- cidental damage and natural disasters. They also should make sure they are insured for flood damage. The tornadoes that dev- astated the South and_ the large amount of ie Dr. Michael Murray: named superintendent of Jackson County Schools Lauren Gray, Staff Writer . _ A Western Carolina Uni- versity alumnus will soon take the helm of the Jackson County Public School Sys- tem. The Board of Education for Jackson County Schools recently elected Dr. Michael Murray unanimously as their new superintendent. Murray graduated from: Mars Hill College in 1984 with a Bach- elor of Science degree and received a Master of Arts in education, a degree of Educa- tion Specialist and a doctor- ate degree in Education from - Western Carolina University. As a local, Murray was Taised in the mountains of Western North Carolina and is happy to become the leader of Jackson Countys schools. Tm thrilled to be able to come back to Cullowhee as an - educator, Murray said. Im very excited about working with the mountain communi- ty. Its an honor and privilege. Its a great opportunity for me to give back. The Board is confident that Murray will work well with the existing staff and ad- ministrative structure in Jack- son County Schools. Dr. Murrays leadership will be a valuable asset to our already exceptional _ staff, said Ali Laird-Large, Vice Chair of the Board. I have confidence that he will con- tinue our strong tradition of quality education in Jackson County. . The Board voted to grant o Dr. Murray a four-year con- . tract which includes $115,560 from state, funds and $4,440 from local funds for a total of $120,000. How does the new super- intendent view his new posi- tion? The superintendency is the lead position. My expecta- tions are to accomplish goals and standards. Its a respected position and a power not to be abused, said Murray. He sees WCU as a great resource to partner with for the Jackson County Public School System. As a current Associate Superintendent for McDowell County Schools for the past six years, he has an extensive amount of expe- rience in this area. Murray will be taking over for the current Superintendent Sue Nations, who will be re- tiring this summer. Jackson County Schools have been very fortunate to have great leadership in the past and has outstanding em- ployees, Murray said. As for changes for the school system, Murray said he doesnt intend to make a lot of sweeping changes. In fact, his goals are quite simi- lar to WCUs new chancel- lors goals for the new year; he plans to spend the next year listening and learning from his new staff. Building on programs in place, reaching 21st century goals, reaching standards of essential course standards and tating them to the next level with new standards are a few weve seen this spring should serve as a reminder that. di- sasters can happen anytime _and anywhere. As we move into this hurricane season its important to remember that FEMA is just part of an emergency management team that includes the entire federal family, state, local and tribal governments, the private sec- tor and most importantly the public, said FEMA Adminis- trator Craig Fugate. Now is the time, if you havent already, to get. your plan together for what you and your family would do if di- saster strikes. Visit ee to learn more. And if youre a small business owner, visit www.ready.gov/business _ to ensure that your business. is prepared for a disaster, added Fugate. Bell also reminded that tropical storms can affect any plateau, including the moun- tains. He mentioned Hurri- canes Ivan and'Francis, which slammed Western North Car- olina in 2004, as examples. Hurricane impacts are not limited to the coastline; strong winds and flooding rainfall of- ten pose a threat across inland areas along with the risk for tornadoes, Bell said. PHOTO COURTESY OF JACKSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS of his immediate Murrays first goals. He also wants to keep a high standard of a caring school system. The most important part is to do whats right for the children every time, Mur- ray said. I want to lead an already strong school system with the opp. We want to pre- - pare students to be success- ; ful. -

The Western Carolinian is Western Carolina University's student-run newspaper. The paper was published as the Cullowhee Yodel from 1924 to 1931 before changing its name to The Western Carolinian in 1933.

• Creator
  • Western Carolina University
• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Date
  • Date original: 2011-05-27
• Extent
  • Dimension: 22.75" x 11.5"
  • Pages: 12
• Subject - Topic
  • College student newspapers and periodicals
  • Cullowhee (N.C.) -- Newspapers
  • Universities and colleges -- North Carolina -- Cullowhee -- Newspapers
  • Western Carolina University -- Periodicals
• Location
  • Jackson County (N.C.)
  • Cullowhee (N.C.)
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Source Collection
  • WCU Students Newspapers Collection
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_2011-05-27_Vol77_No07
• Repository
  • Western Carolina University Hunter Library