Faculty Handbook - version 8/12
Handbook for contracts dated prior to 7/1/03 (PDF)
Index | Faculty Senate | UNCA

7.0 ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES AND SERVICES

Following are highlights of administrative policies. See the UNCA Policy and Procedures Manual (UNCA PPM) for the complete policy statements (available online at http://www.unca.edu/policies/).

7.1 Alcoholic Beverage Policy

State Law
Under no circumstance may any type of alcoholic beverage be sold by any person, organization or corporation on the campus or property of the University (General Statute 18A-40). The term "sale" is broadly interpreted by law enforcement authorities to include such practices as charging admission to events where alcohol is served. In addition, tickets, other exchanges or lists which are in any way restrictive, or in-kind donations are viewed as indirect payment for alcoholic beverages and are, therefore, illegal).

University Policies, Regulations and Procedures
These policies are designed to support the positive healthy use or non-use of alcoholic beverages in a responsible manner.

  1. Student fees collected by the University as a part of registration may not be used to purchase alcoholic beverages; this includes Campus Commission for Student Services Funds.
  2. Possession or consumption of liquor, fortified wine or mixed beverages (more than 14 percent alcohol by volume) is prohibited on the University campus, except for approved circumstances and locations.
  3. Possession or consumption of beer or unfortified wine on the UNCA campus is prohibited with the exception of the following conditions:
    1. In all cases, persons must be at least 21 years of age to possess or consume such beverages and must provide proof of age.
    2. Students of legal age may possess and consume beer or unfortified wine only in approved locations. Alcoholic beverages cannot be openly displayed or consumed anywhere on campus except at those approved locations.
  4. Under those special circumstances where alcoholic beverage will be permitted, the University will require the sponsors to adhere to "good practices" as stated in the UNCA Alcohol Beverage Permit. Failure to abide by the "good practices" as set forth in the UNCA Alcohol Beverage Permit will result in loss of privileges to use approved locations and/or prosecution through the student court system.
  5. Residence Halls have limited drinking privileges.
  6. Locations Approved by Special Permission
    1. Highsmith University Center: Limited drinking privileges available.
    2. Owen Conference Center: Possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages is generally prohibited in this area; however, for certain special events the Chancellor or his/her designated representative may grant a written exception to this policy. In these special circumstances groups may be allowed to possess or consume alcoholic beverages. The written exception shall include the reason for the exception, the area of the center to be utilized and the hours of use. An ABC permit is also required if applicable.
    3. Justice Sports, Health and Physical Education Complex: Possession and consumption of all alcoholic beverages is prohibited in areas within and adjacent to the UNCA indoor and outdoor athletic recreational facilities, except in unusual cases for special events. Advance written permission from the Chancellor or his/her designated representative is required.
    4. Academic Space: Possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in all areas within and adjacent to instructional facilities, except in unusual cases for special events. Advance written permission is required from the Chancellor or his/her designated representative, with specific reference to the area and hours of use. At no time will alcoholic beverages of more than 14 percent alcohol by volume be permitted.

Enforcement
Violation of these laws and policies will result in administrative and/or criminal sanctions as set forth in the University Judicial Code or applicable state, federal or local laws.

Students, faculty members, administrators and other employees are responsible for knowing about and complying with the provisions of North Carolina law and University policy on alcohol use, distribution and consumption. Any member of the university community who violates this policy is subject to disciplinary proceedings by the University.

UNCA Alcohol Advertising Policy
1. On-Campus Events: When the general public is invited to a University event, no alcohol is permitted; therefore, no off-campus advertising of events is permitted when alcohol is allowed. On-campus advertising should make no mention of beer, wine, etc. Only the "Alcohol Permit Approved" may appear on publicity flyers and posters
2. Off-Campus Events: Advertising on-campus of events held off-campus which are sponsored or co-sponsored by University organizations will contain no mention of beer, wine or any form of alcohol.

See UNCA PPM #26 for more information.

7.2 Budget Process for Academic Areas (see Section 1.5)

7.3 Campus Closing

7.3.1 Holidays

Each year holidays are published in the UNCA Calendar which is distributed to faculty and is available on the UNCA home page at http://www.unca.edu/enroll/.

7.3.2 Inclement Weather (see Section 3.1.4.3.2)

7.4 Academic Calendar

Annually, the Office of Academic Affairs prepares two academic calendars, one is a final draft of the Academic Calendar for the following year and a preliminary draft of the subsequent year. Both calendars are presented to the Chancellor's Administrative Cabinet for initial approval. The final draft of the following year's calendar is then presented to the Faculty Senate for their adoption. The calendar is available online at http://www.unca.edu/enroll/calendar/index.html.

7.5 Drug Abuse and Controlled Substance Policy

Education, Prevention, Counseling and Rehabilitation
Just as the primary purpose of the University of North Carolina at Asheville is education, so also the University's major effort to address drug abuse should be educational in nature. The University shall maintain a comprehensive drug education program available to all members of the academic community (students, faculty, administration and staff). The activities of the program shall be the responsibility of the Drug and Alcohol Education Task Force composed of two faculty members appointed by the VCAA, two students appointed by the Student Government President and two staff/administrators appointed by the Chancellor. The VCSA or his designee shall Chair the committee. the Task Force shall develop and coordinate an ongoing program available to all members of the academic community that:
1. informs members of the academic community about the health hazards associated with drug abuse.
2. emphasizes the incompatibility of drug abuse and maximum achievement of personal and educational goals.
3. encourages members of the campus community to make use of available campus and community counseling, medical, and rehabilitation resources in dealing with drug abuse problems.
4. informs members of the academic community that they also may be subject to criminal prosecution for violating state laws relating to the illegal use, possession, delivery, sale, manufacture or creation of controlled substances.

UNCA shall provide information about drug counseling and rehabilitation services to members of the University community, through campus-based programs for students and through community-based organizations for faculty, staff and students. Persons who voluntarily avail themselves of University services shall be assured that applicable professional standards of confidentiality will be observed.

For Enforcement and Penalties, see UNCA PPM #36.

Implementation and Reporting
Annually, the Chancellor shall submit to the Board of Trustees a report on campus activities related to illegal drugs for the preceding year. The reports shall include, as a minimum, the following: (1) a listing of the major educational activities conducted during the year; (2) a report on any illegal drug-related incidents, including any sanctions imposed; (3) an assessment by the Chancellor of the effectiveness of the campus program and; (4) any proposed changes in the policy on illegal drugs. A copy of the report shall be provided to the President of the University.

7.5.1 Drug-free Certification for Awardees of Federal Grants and Contracts

For information about this Federal requirement, see the Director of Special Academic Programs.

7.6 Emergency Loan Fund

The Emergency Loan Fund is established to provide UNCA faculty/staff a low interest alternative to borrow money for emergency situations. The Emergency Loan Fund is established through the generous gift of a donor and is maintained by the UNCA Foundation. The maximum loan amount will be $750. Forms are available in the Personnel Office. See UNCA PPM #47 for more information.

7.7 Emergency Response

If an emergency should arise on campus:

  1. dial "911" to report the situation
  2. contact the Office of Public Safety (Security)

If the person reporting the incident cannot reach the Office of Public Safety, they are responsible to:

  1. meet responding agency at the main campus entrance at University Heights and Edgewood Road
  2. contact Health Services if it is a medical emergency
  3. contact Campus Receptionist who will provide information to parties involved
  4. direct all inquiries to the Chancellor or designated representative.

See UNCA PPM #41 for more information.

7.8 Employee Assistance Programs

The Employee Assistance Program is designed to identify troubled employees early, motivate them to seek assistance, and refer them to an appropriate resource for assistance. See UNCA PPM #42 for more information.

7.9 Faculty Guests

Faculty members are responsible for their personal guests while they are on campus.

7.10 Keys

Faculty are not to duplicate keys to University offices or buildings nor loan those keys to other persons. The Departmental Secretary will coordinate requests and issue of keys, and inform the user of the responsibilities associated with the key(s) issued. Users are fully responsible for issued keys.

All keys are coded to identify the user. No key(s) should be passed from one user to another. Users are responsible for key(s) that can be identified to them even if lost by another. All employees leaving UNCA on a permanent basis will take their keys to the Personnel Department. All other key returns will go through the Departmental Secretary or the Key Shop in the Physical Plant.

  1. Full time faculty may receive Departmental Masters, or individual office keys at the discretion of each individual Department, with appropriate approvals.
  2. Adjunct Professors will receive only individual office keys.

NOTE:  It is strongly recommend that Departments include a lock down device with all future purchases of computers. We will be happy to assist you in the selection of the lock down devise and the installation when it arrives.

7.11 Mail Service

UNCA Mail Services exists to provide timely and error-free mail delivery, collect and post outgoing US mail, collect and distribute intra-campus mail, assist campus mailers to save by taking maximum advantage of automation discounts, provide accurate and timely billing of postage to campus departments, and stay current with rapidly changing regulations and technology in the mailing industry, publishing these to the campus as needed.

Mail Services handles around two million pieces of mail a year. Our Bulk Mail Unit contributes significant savings to UNCA operating budgets each year by automating our large mailings. Mail Services processes International Global Priority, International Express, US Express and Certified Return Receipt Requested mail, insures packages, and will provide Delivery Confirmation receipts for Priority, Certified, and Express mail upon request. Mail Services does not currently sell postal money orders, envelopes, postcards, or stamps, prepare packages for shipment, or process or mail Registered items. Personal mail may be sent through the mail center but it must be stamped. University stationery must not be used for personal correspondence.

UNCA Mail Services is located behind the Physical Plant Building. The operating hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. More information about mail service is available at http://www.unca.edu/fac_mgmt/mail-manual.html and in UNCA PPM #38.

7.12 Parking and Traffic Policies

All UNCA faculty, staff and students must properly register their vehicles with the Public Safety Office. Faculty and staff may purchase parking decals for green designated areas with white lettering for August 1st through July 31st by submitting a completed UNCA vehicle registration card and the proper fee to the Public Safety. Additional decals for a second vehicle may be purchased at a reduced fee.

Citations are issued for violation of parking regulations. Penalties, except handicapped violations, are subject to a 50% discount if paid within seven days. Penalties not paid are subject to payroll deduction and are subject to N.C. General Statutes 105A-6(b). A parking citation may be appealed in writing or in person. First obtain a "Notice of Appeal" form from the Public Safety Office within seven (7) calendar days of the citation. Information on the appeals process, date, time and location can be obtained at that time. Citations more than seven (7) days old will not be accepted for appeal. Parking appeals that have been denied will be authorized a 30% discount of the penalty (except handicapped violations) if paid within seven (7) days of the appeal disposition notice.

For the full text see UNCA PPM #19, or the "Traffic and Parking Regulations" brochure available from the Office of Public Safety.

7.13 Safety Health and Environmental Policy

Every employee is entitled to a safe and healthful workplace and the assurance that the University's activities are conducted in a safe and healthful manner not adversely affecting the general public or the environment.

All UNCA employees are responsible for ensuring a work environment which is free from recognized safety, health and environmental hazards. A primary consideration in every job task is to evaluate the safety, health and environmental aspects to avoid detrimental exposure. To accomplish this goal, all personnel must endeavor to provide a safe work place, safe equipment, proper materials, obtain full knowledge and understanding of safety, health and environmental responsibilities, and insist upon safe methods and practices at all times. Personnel will be held accountable for meeting these conditions while working at UNCA.

Safety, health and environmental awareness and results will be valued in personnel performance appraisals along with work performance and quality. Compliance will be ensured through appraisals and inspections performed pursuant to established safety, health and environmental programs.

Guidelines for employees are established in published University Safety Standards and Policies adopted by UNCA. These guidelines reflect the State Employee's Workplace Requirements Program for Safety and Health and are approved by the Chancellor and University Administrative Cabinet.

7.14 Smoking Policy (SD0993S)

As of July 16, 1993, to protect nonsmokers from the health hazards of passive smoke, the Chancellor banned smoking in all indoor areas on campus except for residential rooms. In the case of residential rooms, smoking is permissible when agreed to either by all residents of a room or, when the room is part of a suite, by all residents of the suite.  (See also UNCA PPM #48 for more details.)

7.15 Telephone Use

Faculty are provided with telephones and individual office phone numbers. On-campus calls are made by dialing the 4-digit office extension. Local off-campus calls require dialing 9 to reach an outside line. Work-related long distance calls are made via the university's WATS line, accessed by first dialing 8. Personal long distance cards require a calling card or phone charge card.

7.16 Travel Regulations (see Section 4.1.5)

7.17 Tuition Free Courses for Faculty and Staff

UNCA participates in two separate programs providing tuition free courses for eligible employees. These two programs are:

Educational Assistance Program as authorized by the N.C. Office of State Personnel
The details of this program are in Section 6-5 of the Personnel Manual and may be examined in our Personnel Office in the Administration building. Only full-time or part-time employees who have gained permanent status are eligible. Courses may be taken at any accredited high school, business school, community college, technical institute, college, university, or correspondence school. Courses taken under this program must be directly job related (as a UNCA policy restriction). Courses for cultural personal enrichment do not qualify. The course must be taken on the employee's own time unless the course is not offered after working hours, in which case the employee may be granted time during work hours. Under this program the employee must pay all necessary expenses and following successful completion of the course, may request reimbursement of the cost of tuition, registration fees, and laboratory fees. Eligible employees for this program include permanent full-time employees with at least six months of continuous service or permanent part-time employees with at least one year of continuous service. All UNCA personnel taking courses at UNCA are expected to utilize the following program.

Tuition Remission Program as authorized by the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina
This program allows for tuition remission for full-time faculty of instructor rank and above the other full-time employees who hold membership in the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System or TIAA (this excludes all part-time teachers, all part-time research staff and all temporary employees). The free tuition privilege applies only during the period of one's normal employment. For example, a nine-month employee may not receive a tuition waiver for a summer school course.

Free tuition privileges may be allowed on only one course in each academic term during which one is permitted to register. The University may allow one course tuition free in each term of a semester but an employee receiving tuition remission for a semester course may not receive free tuition for any term course within that semester. Free tuition does not have to be granted by the University. The statute was created for the convenience of the institution to upgrade employee performance. This may or may not accommodate an employee vigorously pursuing a degree by multiple course enrollments rather than simply acquiring a professionally related skill or body of knowledge by taken a pertinent course. The institution possesses discretion in determining if any course by itself or in combination with others would interfere with employment obligations and so should not be blessed with tuition waiver. Free tuition privileges shall be allowed only to employees who meet the requirements for admission to the University and who have been duly admitted by the Office of Admissions. Unless the employee has received an approved written authorization form, they are expected to pay for the course at registration (or pre-registration) and will be given a refund if subsequent approval is obtained. Free tuition privileges do not include such other charges as registration, laboratory, books, and transportation which must be paid by the student (employee).

An employee meeting these requirements within the limitations of these regulations shall be eligible for free tuition on any of the sixteen constituent institution campuses (1977 legislative amendment).

Each applicant for free tuition privileges must complete and submit through regular administrative channels a form entitled "Request and Authorization for Free Tuition." These forms are available in the office of the VCFA. The forms must be completed in triplicate. The VCFA will forward one copy to the employee, one copy to the Business Office (which will then credit the employee's account) and file one copy.

An employee must have been employed for at least six months of continuous service prior to taking the course (probationary time towards this requirement is counted provided permanent status is obtained prior to the request).

If the course is offered during non-working hours, the employee must take it during those hours (if a UNCA employee). The course must be directly job related and not offered at night for time off to be granted for a UNCA employee to take a course tuition free. Tuition may be granted for a course taken which is not directly job related but the employee must make up the time lost from work on such courses, or take leave. See UNCA PPM #8 for more details.

7.18 Use of or Access to University Facilities

UNCA PPM #9 describes use of Lipinsky Auditorium, UNCA PPM #20 describes policy on space scheduling and use, and UNCA PPM #24 describes building access. Unless granted permission by contract or otherwise approved by the Chancellor, Faculty are not to use University facilities for personal use.

Please contact the individual listed below to schedule use of the spaces listed.

Space Contact person
Laurel Forum  Christie Aull
Highsmith Center  Rosie Palmisano
LH/Auditorium  Leigh Svenson
KH Lobby(ies)  Annis Lytle
RBH,ZH,CH Lobbies  Marilyn Lonon
Academic Rooms  Marilyn Lonon
HLH & Lecture Halls  Marilyn Lonon
Quad Events  Rick Brophy
Blocking of Parking  Public Safety

7.19 Use of State Owned Vehicles (see Section 4.1.5.2 and UNCA PPM #1)

7.20 FORMS for Section 7.0

No forms for this section.

Faculty Handbook - version 8/12
Handbook for contracts dated prior to 7/1/03 (PDF)
Index | Faculty Senate | UNCA