Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
I hope you had an exciting summer, filled with fun and meaningful adventures. I spent a lot of my time focused on strengthening UNCW’s connections, both at home and abroad, and discussing the opportunities for growth outlined in our new campus master plan. As we start the fall semester, thank you for bringing your ideas and energy to our campus. I know we will accomplish great things together this year, Seahawks.
Over 5,000 new undergraduate and graduate students are starting their Seahawk journey this month, joining thousands of returning students to participate in the UNCW experience. Our residence halls are full, with more than 5,500 students living in campus spaces.
Traditions like Move-In, Convocation, Dub After Dark, and Rock the Rec shape and support the UNCW experience for all of us, bringing the past, present and future together in purposeful ways. Once again, we impressed our newest Seahawks and their families with a warm welcome, thanks to hundreds of current students, faculty, staff and volunteers.
UNCW launched two new apps this summer to assist students, their families, faculty, staff and the community. The UNCW Mobile App offers quick access to essential campus information and emergency notifications. Download it to easily review university resources, get directions, track shuttles in real-time, access the academic calendar, and stay updated with the latest news and events. The UNCW Alert Safety App, provided by SafeZone in partnership with UNCW Police, allows students, faculty and staff real-time communication with UPD in case of an emergency.
Earlier this month, the UNCW Board of Trustees approved a comprehensive Campus Master Plan that reflects input from over 1,700 students, faculty, staff, alumni and Wilmington community members who participated in open forums and online surveys. Plans include a campus welcome center, more parking, a residence hall on the former Galloway Hall site, upgrades to athletic facilities and academic building additions and expansions.
In five years, the front of campus along College Road will look and feel more vibrant, engaging and welcoming. The new and improved UNCW Library, which is open and ready for this academic year, already stands out as an example of the transformation we have in mind. I won’t even try to describe how special the library is now—please go see its new and renovated spaces for yourself!
I recently shared an update about the university’s plan to address new equality policy requirements enacted by the UNC Board of Governors. Careful and deliberate thought was given to the impact on students, staff, programs and services. We did make some changes in how we structure our identity and cultural centers, but we didn’t change their focus on students. We avoided staffing layoffs by shifting valued colleagues into meaningful roles in Student Affairs and Academic Affairs.
Placing the identity and cultural centers in Student Affairs means students will benefit from more operational support, improved resource sharing, and increased collaboration among the many professional staff dedicated to their success at UNCW. We also moved some staff members to the Student Engagement, Enrollment and Retention team in Academic Affairs, which means we now have even more professionals focused on helping all students thrive at UNCW.
With a presidential election year in full swing, I anticipate a lot of discussion among Seahawks about deeply held convictions on any number of topics. As a public university, we provide individuals with a place to discover knowledge, evaluate competing ideas and explore many worldviews. UNCW champions freedom of expression and academic freedom, remaining neutral as an institution to create a space where all perspectives can be shared. To support the open exchange of ideas, the university refrains from taking a stance on political and social issues.
UNCW is a complex community of individuals connected to each other in many ways. To maintain and strengthen those connections, I encourage students, faculty and staff to embrace the Seahawk Respect Compact. Its fundamental principles—civility, mutual respect, acceptance and open-mindedness—are a compass for our interactions with each other, the campus and the greater community.
The more we connect as students, faculty and staff, the better our connections will be. I walk across campus almost every day to eat lunch and get some exercise. Please stop me for a chat, especially if you have something on your mind. Reach out via email at chancellor@uncw.edu or call my office at 910.962.3030. Connect with me online using the UNCW Chancellor social media channels on Facebook, Instagram and X. I also encourage you to communicate with student, faculty and staff representatives, including Student Body President Skyler Stein, Faculty Senate President Colleen Reilly (Department of English), and Staff Senate Chair Susan Smith (Student Recreation). They care about UNCW and the Seahawks who call the university home.
Settle into the start of a new academic year. Invest your time and talents in yourself and the UNCW community. Embrace the excitement that is lifting UNCW to new heights—a strong year for academic scholarship and research, the conclusion of a historic philanthropic campaign, a great fall sports season and compelling arts programs.
Let’s Soar Together, Seahawks!
Aswani K. Volety
Chancellor
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