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Direct Line

Q The University has scaled back its employee appreciation event from a fair in the Dean. E. Smith Center to an ice cream social in Carmichael Auditorium. We're able to pay for numerous campus construction projects -- why can't we afford to go back to an appreciation event like the fair?

A The Employee Appreciation Fair was an event sponsored by the University Manager's Association. The event began in 1990 and continued through 1999. The University provided some central financial support for the event, but the event depended heavily on the many volunteer hours of members of the University Manager's Association. In 1999, the University was experiencing a budget shortfall and looking at the need to cut positions. Leaders of the University Manager's Association expressed both their interest in moving to a different, less labor intensive type of appreciation event and their desire to help the University avoid position cuts by reducing the budget. This year was the second year of the newly designed Employee Appreciation event put on by the University Manager's Association.

The numerous construction projects that you mention are financed in different ways. Previously, there have been direct appropriations from the General Assembly for capital projects. Now, after last year's approval of the University bonds, funding for these construction projects comes directly from the bond money. This money can only be used for capital construction.

Nevertheless, the University is undertaking a review of its employee appreciation and recognition programs. Barbara DeLon, Director of Employee Services, is chairing a University-wide committee that is reviewing these programs. That committee includes representation from the University Manager's Association as well as from the Employee Forum and the Faculty Council. Any comments or suggestions that you might have about employee appreciation and recognition can be directed to DeLon at Barbara_delon@unc.edu

Answer by Laurie Charest, associate vice chancellor for Human Resources.

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