State budget includes historic investment in UNC Charlotte

Monday, November 22, 2021

The North Carolina General Assembly and Gov. Roy Cooper approved the state budget that provides a historic $134 million investment in UNC Charlotte to fund STEM education growth and capital renovations. The budget also includes raises and bonus pay for eligible faculty and staff. 

“We are grateful to the North Carolina General Assembly and Gov. Cooper for their recognition of the unique role our University plays as a driving force in the Charlotte region’s economy as a top producer of job-ready graduates for the state of North Carolina and beyond,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “We are also grateful to the UNC System for their advocacy for pay increases and bonuses for our dedicated employees.”

The legislation’s Engineering N.C.’s Future will provide $10 million to grow programs in The William States Lee College of Engineering. An additional $30 million will support expansions to  engineering and STEM facilities on campus. In fall 2021, 48% of incoming students at UNC Charlotte chose STEM-related majors.

The legislation also includes a $600,000 investment in data science, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence programs. Charlotte is home of the first School of Data Science in the Carolinas and one of only three schools in the United States. The University also leads the state in awarding computer science degrees.

An additional $87 million will fund improved efficiencies and enhanced facilities through repairs and renovations of campus buildings. Approximately $45 million will be used to renovate the  Cameron Building to house STEM research and to transform the Burson Building to house the University’s computer science and data science programs and systems engineering. Other renovations to campus buildings include updates to HVAC and electrical systems and repairs to roofing and exteriors. 

The University, which again reported a record enrollment in fall 2021, will receive more than $7 million in enrollment growth funding. In addition to the bonuses and pay increases for eligible employees, the UNC System Faculty Recruitment and Retention Fund received $10 million to support system institutions.