Congratulations to our award-winning Niners, parking update and reminders before commencement and more

May 7, 2026
Categories: Niner Insider

Editor’s Note: This is our last edition of Niner Insider for the academic year. Starting next week, we will send only on Mondays. Thank you for reading, and have a great summer! 

Congratulations to our spring award winners!

As the academic year concludes, UNC Charlotte honors the innovators, leaders and high achievers who shaped our community. Learn more about this year’s award recipients and nominees.

what you need to know: faculty and stAFF

  • Commencement parking: To accommodate expected parking demand for commencement, changes to parking and transit operations will occur Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9.
  • Appraisal reminder: Supervisors must release completed SHRA appraisals to employees by Monday, May 11. Log into NinerTalent Stakes to finalize this step. Email NinerTalent Stakes with questions.
  • Internal audit plan approved for FY2027: The Fiscal Year 2027 Internal Audit Plan was approved by the Audit, Compliance and Enterprise Risk Management Committee Wednesday, April 29.
  • Atkins closure: Atkins Library will be closed from Monday, May 11, through Sunday, May 17, for construction-related work.
  • Extended maintenance: Learn about the extended maintenance work OneIT will complete Monday, May 11, through Sunday, May 17.
  • Claim your tickets: Charlotte Athletics is offering two free tickets to all faculty and staff for the baseball game at 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 12. A face painter and balloon twister will be at the game; employees have the option of purchasing additional tickets. 
  • Building safety update: As part of the University’s safety protocols, buildings will be on card access only from 8 a.m., Friday, May 8, through Monday, May 18. All faculty, staff and students will need their mobile or physical 49er ID card to enter any campus building.
  • Successful Earth Month: This year’s Earth Month was packed with hands‑on volunteer events, a student‑led sustainability summit and campuswide programs that drew hundreds into action. From major cleanups to a new sustainability officer stepping in, standout moments made this year’s celebration one of the most impactful yet.
  • Changes coming: Beginning July 1, 2026, the Office of Undergraduate Education and University College will be known collectively as University College. The University Transfer Center will be renamed the University Transfer and Adult Student Center, and the Office of Disability Services will become the Office of Accessibility and Accommodation.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: STUDENTS

  • Commencement parking: To accommodate expected parking demand for commencement, changes to parking and transit operations will occur Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9.
  • Atkins closure: Atkins Library will be closed from Monday, May 11, through Sunday, May 17, for construction-related work.
  • Building safety update: As part of the University’s safety protocols, buildings will be on card access only from 8 a.m., Friday, May 8, through Monday, May 18. All faculty, staff and students will need their mobile or physical 49er ID card to enter any campus building.
  • Successful Earth Month: This year’s Earth Month was packed with hands‑on volunteer events, a student‑led sustainability summit and campuswide programs that drew hundreds into action. From major cleanups to a new sustainability officer stepping in, standout moments made this year’s celebration one of the most impactful yet.
  • Changes coming: Beginning July 1, 2026, the Office of Undergraduate Education and University College will be known collectively as University College. The University Transfer Center will be renamed the University Transfer and Adult Student Center, and the Office of Disability Services will become the Office of Accessibility and Accommodation.

the difference is charlotte

Student athletes on stage at Normies awards

The stock is rising for UNC Charlotte athletics. A year that included new head coaches for football and basketball, a new athletic director and breaking ground on the expansion of Jerry Richardson Stadium was capped with athletic and academic excellence from our spring student-athletes.

upcoming events

Commencement photo

UNC Charlotte will hold commencement ceremonies for spring 2026 graduates today, Thursday, May 7, through Saturday, May 9, in Dale F. Halton Arena in the Barnhardt Student Activity Center. Review these important reminders before the ceremonies.

professional development: faculty and staff

  • Wellness in Motion: Register to reserve your spot for Wellness in Motion: A Morning of Mindful Renewal , from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Thursday, May 14, in the Cone Center. From tai chi to journaling, this event, hosted by the HR Employee Engagement and Retention team, offers practical tools to support your well-being.
  • Concur virtual training: Attend the Concur for Travelers virtual training from 10 to 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 12,  by registering on the Learning and Development Portal.
  • TriCEM Launch Meeting: Register to attend the Triangle Center for Evolutionary Medicine UNC Charlotte Launch Meeting from noon to 2:30 p.m., Thursday, May 21, in the Bioinformatics Building, CIPHER 408. TriCEM is an incubator that promotes innovative developments in the theory and practice of evolutionary medicine by fostering cross-disciplinary collaborations.
  • Writing and renewal: Register for summer writing retreats designed to support well-being from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Wednesdays, May 27, through July 1. Sessions begin in the Botanical Gardens with a guided activity before moving to Sycamore Hall, Room 306 for goal setting, discussion and writing in community with others.

to-do list: faculty and staff

to-do list: students