12.0 EXTERNAL ORGANIZATIONS

12.1 Asheville Graduate Center

The Asheville Graduate Center (AGC) coordinates all graduate programs on the UNCA campus. The Center, which began operating in June of 1984, was established by President Friday and by the UNC Board of Governors as a vehicle for delivering needed graduate programs to the Asheville area. It is administered by the UNC Office of the President (formerly General Administration) and provides programs from various universities from within the UNC system. Tuition charges are the same as on the individual campuses. Degrees earned at the Graduate Center are conferred by the universities which provide the programs in Asheville. Most of the course work for programs offered through the Graduate Center is provided on the UNCA campus. Some program do, however, require a period of study in residence on the campus of the offering institution.

The programs available at the Graduate Center during any academic year are based upon the needs of Western North Carolina, program availability, and funding from the North Carolina General Assembly and the UNC Board of Governors. The graduate programs presently available and the participating universities are listed below.  More information about Center programs is available at http://www.unca.edu/agc/.

University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Master of Library Science Degree

North Carolina State University
Master of Engineering Degree (Industrial Engineering Concentration)
Doctor of Education in Adult and Community College Education

University of North Carolina Asheville
Master of Liberal Arts Degree

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Master of Social Work Degree

Western Carolina University 
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) Degree
Master's Degree in:
* Accountancy
* Business Administration
* Counseling
* Educational Administration - Two Year College
* Educational Supervision
* Elementary Education
* Health Sciences
* Human Resource Development
* Middle Grades Education
* Nursing
* Public Affairs
* School Administration
* Secondary Education
* Special Education
* Technology
* Two-year College Teaching

12.2 Center for Jewish Studies (formerly 11.2)

The Center for Jewish Studies develops and coordinates course offerings in Jewish studies, sponsors intellectual and cultural programming, and encourages and supports the activities of Jewish students at UNCA and other colleges and universities in the region.  In all its activities, its mission is educational.  As such, it promotes the academic study, formally and informally, of Jewish civilization.  The Center serves as a Jewish studies resource for teachers, students, and other individuals throughout the region. The director is appointed by the Chancellor in consultation with the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.  A board of advisors, consisting of members of UNCA faculty and staff as well as of members from the community, meets quarterly to discuss the Center’s activities. More information about Center programs is available at http://www.unca.edu/cjs/.

12.3 Mossbauer Effect Data Center

The Mössbauer Effect Data Center (MEDC) is a nonprofit organization providing information services to the international scientific community in the field of Mössbauer spectroscopy. The MEDC provides a number of services for the Mössbauer community including a directory of researchers, a database, a newsletter, a conference/symposia/workshop bulletin board and and a monthly "information journal" titled the Mössbauer Effect Reference and Data Journal. Further activities include a variety of data and information evaluations which are done either internally or in cooperation with other scientists. More information about the Center is available at http://www.unca.edu/medc/.

12.4 North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement

North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement, a program of UNCA, actively involves retirement-aged people in planning and implementing programs of liberal-arts focused lifelong learning, community leadership and service, and intergenerational exchange. Additionally, NCCCR conducts periodic research projects, disseminates information on innovations in older learner programs, and convenes conferences and workshops on issues related to retirement, education, and aging. A full description of NCCCR programs can be found at http://www.unca.edu/ncccr.

12.5 Environmental Quality Institute (formerly 11.4)

The Environmental Quality Institute (EQI) has conducted research on environmental issues for citizen groups, governmental agencies and the private sector since 1988.   Much of the research is conducted by students who have been selected to receive research assistantships and work on undergraduate research projects under the supervision of science faculty and other professional scientists.  The mission of EQI is to conduct technically rigorous and unbiased research on environmental issues while providing support and experience for undergraduate student researchers at UNCA. When an environmental problem is detected from the research, the EQI provides outreach to the community to find cost-effective means for minimizing the negative effects of the problem.  More information can be found at http://www.unca.edu/eqi/.

12.6 World Affairs Council (formerly 11.16)

The World Affairs Council has since its establishment enjoyed a close connection with UNCA. In 2000 it became an independent affiliate of the University, attaining organizational autonomy while retaining the strong and mutually beneficial relationship. The Council works cooperatively with like-minded organizations, including the United Nations Association of Western North Carolina and the League of Women Voters of Asheville/Buncombe County, as well as with the national World Affairs Councils of America, of which it is a member.

The Council annually sponsors two lecture series. Issues of current global interest are addressed in monthly programs led by guest speakers of national repute, drawn from domestic as well as international organizations. In February and March, weekly Great Decisions lectures are held in several Western North Carolina locations, dealing with international issues such as development, environmental crises and regional conflicts. For this series speakers are drawn from the UNCA faculty and other local colleges and universities.  For more information, email the council at Wncworldaffairs@aol.com.

12.7 State Employees' Association (formerly 12.5)

In addition to lobbying for increased benefits with the state legislature, the State Employees' Association of North Carolina offers a number of services to members. The annual dues entitles the member to a free accidental death benefit of $1,000 and gives access to programs including a group buying plan for consumer goods and low-cost group life insurance.  More information is available at http://www.seanc.org/.

12.8 State Employees' Credit Union (formerly 12.6)

Any permanent employee of the State of North Carolina may apply for membership by completing an application and accompanying it with $25 to open a passbook savings account. Then the applicant is entitled to all the benefits of membership. The State Employees' Credit Union (SECU) is the third largest in the nation with a membership in excess of 150,000. The SECU offers most banking services including draft (checking) accounts, money market accounts, CDs, personal loans, auto loans, and home mortgages.  More information is available at http://www.ncsecu.org/.

12.9 FORMS for Section 12.0

No forms for this section.