Feb. 18 Board of Trustees Summary

February 22, 2026
Categories: General News Tags: Chancellor

The UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, Feb. 18. Below is a summary of the reports shared with the board and actions taken by the board.

Please note: No business conducted in closed session is included in this report.

Reports Shared with the Board

Chancellor’s Report

Chancellor Sharon Gaber shared updates aligned to five focus areas.

Student Success

  • Commencement: Approximately 3,100 degrees and graduate certificates were conferred during three December ceremonies.
  • Spring Enrollment: Spring enrollment reached a record 30,019 students, surpassing 30,000 for the first time in a spring term. Undergraduate enrollment increased by nearly 1,200 students and total headcount increased by more than 950, representing 3% growth.
  • Transfer Growth: Transfer enrollment increased 12% compared to last spring.
  • Graduate Enrollment: Growth in domestic graduate enrollment helped offset continued declines in international enrollment.
  • Online Growth: Charlotte Online now accounts for 9.7% of total enrollment, up from 7.5% last spring.

Research

  • NDI3 Launch: The University launched the National Defense Intelligence & Innovation Institute to serve as a hub for defense-related research, partnerships, technology transition and workforce development.
  • NSF Engines: UNC Charlotte will host a National Science Foundation site visit as part of its bid for an award valued at up to $160 million over 10 years, focused on modernization of the energy grid across a 36-county region in North and South Carolina.
  • NCInnovation: UNC Charlotte has received more NCInnovation funding for more projects than any other institution in the UNC System.
  • Research Awards: Recent successes include a $560,000 NSF award supporting single-cell measurement research and the transition of the Center for Identification Technology Research (CITeR) to UNC Charlotte as the lead institution, bringing more than $326,000 in NSF funding plus $1 million annually in memberships.

Strategy and Reputation

Fundraising

  • Campaign Progress: The For the Love of Charlotte campaign has reached nearly 77% of its $500 million goal.
  • Campaign Performance: The University has secured a yearly average of  $69 million in the current campaign cycle compared to a yearly average of $23.9 million in the prior cycle, including 51 gifts over $1 million and $245 million in principal gifts.
  • Scholarships and Endowments: Since launch, scholarships awarded have increased to 2,600 valued at nearly $10 million, and 17 new endowed professorships have been established.
  • Pipeline Growth: Major gift conversations have grown from $140 million two years ago to $289 million, with $40 million closed this fiscal year.
  • Upcoming Events: Upcoming fundraising events include the Judy Rose Let Me Play Luncheon on March 17 and the Niner Nation Gives Campaign from March 31 to April 2.

UNC System and Policy Updates

  • Syllabus Resolution: A December UNC System resolution classifies course syllabi as public records and requires publicly searchable access beginning in the fall semester.
  • CPHE Accreditation: NC Charlotte is part of the initial pilot cohort of 10 institutions pursing accreditation with the Commission for Public Higher Education.
  • Student Activity Fees: A proposed UNC System regulation would prohibit the use of student activity fees for activities or services not generally available to the entire student body, including legal aid. 
  • Enrollment Funding: Enrollment Funding is the UNC system’s only budget priority item. UNC Charlotte is owed $8 million in enrollment funding for last year and $22 million for this year due to the absence of a finalized state budget.

Advancement and Public Relations Committee

  • Communications Update: The committee received updates on media coverage, digital engagement and brand storytelling initiatives, including expanded social media channels and increased readership of Niner Insider.
  • Campaign Update: The For the Love of Charlotte campaign has raised $49.5 million toward its $75 million FY26 goal and $391 million toward the overall $500 million goal.
  • College Spotlight: The committee heard a presentation from the Klein College of Science highlighting academic programs, research initiatives and recent scholarship support for doctoral students in Optical Science and Engineering.

Finance and Physical Properties Committee

  • Capital Projects: The committee approved project authorizations for Robinson Humidity Control and Boiler Replacement, Greek Village Parking Lot Renewal and the Dubois Center Energy Efficiency Controls Upgrade.
  • Designer Selections: The committee ratified designer selections for RUP 4 Chiller Repairs, Kennedy Roof and Exterior Stair Replacement and Campus Fire Pump Controller Replacements.
  • Financial Review: Trustees reviewed the University budget, financial ratios, credit rating analysis, associated entities and capital improvement updates.

Audit, Compliance and Enterprise Risk Management Committee

  • Financial Audit: The Office of the State Auditor issued an unmodified opinion with no findings for the FY25 financial statement audit.
  • Associated Entities Audits: External audits for the Foundation, Athletic Foundation, Charlotte Investment Fund and Charlotte Student Legal Services received unmodified opinions with no findings.
  • NCAA Review: Required NCAA procedures were completed with no major findings.
  • Internal Audit Plan: The committee received an update on the FY26 Internal Audit Plan with no high-risk findings reported.
  • Conflict of Interest: The annual conflict of interest review reported no actual conflicts.
  • Enterprise Risk: Trustees reviewed the updated enterprise risk dashboard, including federal funding impacts, inflationary pressures, athletics finance, protests and enrollment trends.

Academic and Student Life Committee

  • Associated Entity Resolution: The committee voted to reapprove Charlotte 49ers Ventures as an associated entity in its revised nonprofit limited liability company form, which went forward to the full board for final approval. 
  • Greek Life: Trustees received an overview of Fraternity and Sorority Life, including academic performance and retention outcomes.
  • Artificial Intelligence: The committee heard updates on AI teaching and research initiatives, including newly approved bachelor’s and master’s degrees in AI.
  • Athletics Update: Student-athletes posted the strongest academic performance in department history, with nearly three-quarters earning a 3.0 GPA or higher.

Executive Committee

  • Board Officer Nominations: Chair Dontá Wilson briefed the committee on the process for annual board officer nominations to take place in July. Trustee Smith will chair the Nominating Committee and will convene Trustees Scrivener and Aznar to develop a recommended slate of officers for 2026-27.
  • Distinguished Professorships: The committee unanimously approved plans to establish the Honeywell Distinguished Professor in Infrastructure and the Honeywell Distinguished Professor in Computing and Intelligence.
  • Post-Tenure Review: The committee received the first annual Post-Tenure Review Report.
  • Chancellor’s Professor: The committee unanimously approved Pilar Blitvitch, professor of English, for the Chancellor’s Professor designation.


Faculty Council

  • Council Updates: Faculty Council met in January and discussed academic freedom and syllabus requirements
  • Faculty Spotlight: Kendra Jason, associate professor in the Department of Sociology and interim chair of the Department of Health Management and Policy, was highlighted for her leadership and interdisciplinary scholarship.
  • Return on Investment in Faculty: The presentation emphasized high-impact funding outcomes, strengthened institutional capability, tangible real-world impact and support for the next generation of researchers.
  • Sharing Impact: Faculty Council underscored the importance of building trust in faculty scholarship and engaging internal stakeholders, community partners, media and potential funders.

Staff Council

  • Governance Updates: Staff Council completed its annual review of bylaws, voted to add the new position of immediate past chair and approved a new committee leadership structure.


Student Government Association 

  • Administration Priorities: SGA reaffirmed its core value that “You Belong at Charlotte” and continued focus on increasing campus presence, expanding events and supporting student organizations.
  • Elections: Upcoming elections will select a new student body president, vice president and senators.
  • Goal Development: SGA is finalizing its goals with continued emphasis on student engagement and organizational support.

Actions Taken by the Board

Finance and Physical Properties Committee Items

  • Approved the construction manager at risk for the Smith Comprehensive Renovation.
  • Approved the acquisition of real property by lease at 528 N. Brevard Street for use as a data center simulation facility and anchor for the North Tryon Tech Hub.

Academic and Student Life Committee Item

  • Approved the Resolution for the Reapproval of Charlotte 49ers Ventures as an Associated Entity.