General News

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act was passed 40 years ago, and recent changes to the University’s student education records policy address advances in technology since FERPA became law in August 1974.
“Our definition of directory information was similar to that of other colleges and universities across the country,” said Jesh Humphrey, deputy general counsel with the Office of Legal Affairs. “However, a couple of months ago, the chancellor asked the Office of Legal Affairs and the Registrar’s Office to review our policy to better protect our students’ privacy.”

UNC Charlotte recently hired three individuals to support the Data Science and Business Analytics initiative, which is an industry-University-state partnership led by the College of Computing and Informatics and the Belk College of Business with strategic input from the College of Health and Human Services and other academic units.
Mark Armstrong, Rick Hudson and Shannon Schlueter are the industry/University program coordinator, senior project manager and data scientist, respectively, for the DSBA initiative.

Simona de Silvestro, a Sauber Formula 1 affiliate driver, will be on campus from 5 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 24, in the Motorsports Research Lab. Students, alumni, industry partners and members of the campus community are invited to attend the event, which will feature a preview of the clean air energy Formula 1 racecar, guest speakers and refreshments.
RSVPs are requested; email fcausey@uncc.edu.

The Energy and Environmental Assistance Office has released the June winners of its annual raffles, an incentive to faculty and staff members to help improve Charlotte air quality during the summer ozone season.

The middle class meltdown, the transformative effect of Apostle Paul upon Christianity, President Lincoln’s relationship with the U.S. colored troops and portrayals of slavery in children’s literature are provocative topics being featured in the 2014-15 Personally Speaking Series.
Four researchers from the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences will reveal the stories behind their books during the lecture series, co-sponsored by the college and J. Murrey Atkins Library. Each talk is free and starts at 6:30 p.m., with a reception following.
The 2014-15 speakers are:

The deadline for nominations  for the 2014 Governor’s Award for Excellence, created to express appreciation for outstanding achievements by state employees, has been extended to 5 p.m., Friday, Aug. 22.  This award is the highest honor a state employee may receive for noteworthy service to state government and the people of North Carolina.

Jim McKay, an employee with the Student Union, was sworn formally as chair of the UNC Charlotte Staff Council during a retreat July 9.

As competition for talent heats up worldwide, UNC Charlotte researcher Qingfang Wang has identified critical factors that appear to give some communities a competitive edge.
Wang’s research considers highly skilled immigrants and immigrant entrepreneurs – what attracts them, what fosters their growth and what deters them from fully using their skills and knowledge.

On Monday, Gov. Pat McCrory signed a bill that will enable six UNC system campuses, including UNC Charlotte, to fund construction projects.
UNC Charlotte will issue bonds to finance $129 million to complete four non-appropriated capital improvements that University leaders have identified as critical to campus growth.
“While some schools are seeing their numbers decline, demand for UNC Charlotte is growing dramatically in parallel to the Charlotte region’s rapid population increase,” wrote Chancellor Philip L. Dubois in an op-ed published in the Charlotte Business Journal.