Education briefs

WCU celebrates opening of its newest residence halls

When Western Carolina University officials held a ribbon-cutting event to officially open “The Rocks” freshman residence halls on Sept. 2, it was more than just a ceremonial gathering.

It was a new chapter in WCU’s history celebrating and highlighting a new project that integrates into the university’s larger mission of serving the region and alumni.

“On this project, our senior project manager, assistant project manager, field engineer and both superintendents are all WCU alumni,” Chancellor Kelli R. Brown told the crowd at the outside event. “This is one of the benefits of partnering with a local general contractor like Vannoy. Getting to see graduates return to campus and apply the knowledge they cultivated here as students in their professions.”

In addition to alumni working on the large project, WCU students served as interns. “Having interns currently enrolled in WCU programs A number of elected officials and local leaders were on hand for the ribbon cutting. Donated photo involved in these types of projects offers invaluable experience, ownership and pride in seeing their successful contributions to their campus come to life,” Brown said.

The new residence halls encompass three contemporary buildings — Shining Rock, Water Rock, and Black Rock — all named after local mountains. Black Rock residence hall is still under construction and will open in spring 2023.

The new residence halls replace Scott and Walker. The spaces feature 932 beds, mountain lodging-style community rooms, as well as outdoor spaces offering firepits, ample greenspace and designated hammock areas.

“I am very fortunate to live here,” said 18-year-old Aaron Hoyle-Rivera of Shelby. “Everyone is so excited to be here and the residential living staff has been so helpful. There is nothing that they cannot answer.”

Freshman Jonathan Newsome of New London, agrees.

“I really like that we have a lot of open spaces where you can meet other people,” Newsome said.

The names for the residence halls are in honor of WCU’s stewardship role in the western mountains of North Carolina, references to the Smokies, the Plott Balsams and the Blue Ridge mountains. They have been reflected in the mission of the university from its inception in 1889.

The founding of WCU included the “Cullowhee Idea,” which was to serve “the people of this place and to provide for their educational needs.” To carry this naming tradition into the future and to create an integral core of residence halls on the lower campus, the WCU Board of Trustees unanimously voted in fall 2021 to approve their names

Friday’s ceremony ended with personal tours of common areas and rooms.

“I’m looking forward to all of the memories these residence halls will hold in the future and I thank all of you for being a part of one of countless memories made today,” Brown said.

UNC launches database to help students transfer across institutions

The University of North Carolina System has launched its Common Numbering System, a database to help undergraduate students better plan their education and ensure successful transfer of course credits.

The CNS is a comprehensive listing of over 1,600 undergraduate, lower-level courses from institutions within both the UNC and N.C. Community College systems. Courses are searchable in an online database, allowing students, advisers, registrars and others to identify credits that will easily transfer between community colleges and UNC System institutions.

The project was a collaborative effort and took nearly two years to complete.

“The launch of the Common Numbering System is a triumph for students and institutions across our great state,” said UNC System President Peter Hans. “Students have long dealt with a complex transfer process that didn’t always recognize credits completed at another UNC institution or a community college. This important tool will help expand access to our world-class institutions, benefiting the one-third of our students who will transfer from a community college or another UNC System institution during their college experience.”

“The UNC System’s Common Numbering System will save time and money for transfer students, helping them to plot the most efficient path toward a degree,” said David English, acting senior vice president for academic affairs. “For two decades, this idea has been a conversation piece. At last, it’s a reality. My thanks to everyone who worked to put this valuable tool into the hands of our students and their advisers.”

The UNC System has developed an informational website to host its database and CNS course list. Students can use the site to access transfer resources and course information from each of the UNC System’s 16 universities. They can also locate information about how courses will transfer from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics.

Hunter safety courses October 11 & 12

Commission will offer a hunter safety course Oct. 11 and 12 from 6 to 9 p.m. on the HCC campus in building 3300, room 3322. Participants must attend two consecutive evenings to receive their certification.

More than a firearm safety course, instruction includes ethics and responsibility, conservation and wildlife management, wildlife identification, survival and first aid, specialty hunting and tree stand safety.

These courses are offered as a community service and are free of charge. There are no minimum age requirements; however, a written exam must be completed without assistance. Courses are taught by wildlife officers, hunter education specialists and certified volunteer instructors. Certification is accepted in every state and province in North America. Additional hunter safety courses will be offered Nov. 8 and 9.

Pre-registration is required. Anyone interested in taking a hunter safety course must register online in order to attend any session. Course registration may be completed atwww.ncwildlife.org.

WCU attracts more new students to region

Western Carolina University is continuing its leadership role in making a positive impact on the region by posting strong increases in the number of new and transfer students in Cullowhee.

WCU posted a 12.5% increase of its freshman class this fall, compared to last year, according to university census numbers. Last fall, WCU had 1,701 freshman who had enrolled in classes.

“We have 1,913 new, full-time freshmen, which makes this one of the largest classes in Western’s history,” Chancellor Kelli R. Brown told her WCU Board of Trustees Friday.

WCU also had a small increase in the number of new undergraduate transfer students enrolled this fall. Last fall, WCU had 1,034 transfer students who had enrolled in classes. This fall 1,045 undergraduate transfer students enrolled.

In addition to the strong numbers of new students, WCU also continues to see strong interest from students outside of North Carolina. This fall, the number of students from out-of-state grew from 1,683 to 1,732, a 2.9% increase overall.

On Tuesday, Sept. 6, the WCU’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning released enrollment numbers. All data is preliminary and not considered final until any errors have been corrected and files have been submitted to the University of North Carolina System offices.

Despite the strong freshman numbers, the university’s overall enrollment numbers decreased slightly from fall of 2021. During the past two years WCU has experienced smaller freshman classes and just last May graduated its largest class ever. The overall enrollment of 11,637 students, compared to last fall’s enrollment of 11,887, represents a 2% decline.

WCU has been listed among the nation’s Top Public Schools, as well as Best Value, best in Social Mobility and best providers of online degree programs by U.S. News & World Report. In addition, just last month Forbes listed WCU as the 14th Top Employer in North Carolina.