NEWS

N.C. Botanical Garden receives grant for general operating support

UNC’s N.C. Botanical Garden has received a two-year, $112,500 grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services for general operating support.

The garden was one of four gardens nationwide to receive the general operating support grant this year, said garden director Dr. Peter White.

Museums that qualify for this grant must demonstrate outstanding performance in all areas of museum operations. Each applicant performs a self-evaluation, involving every aspect of operations. Museum professionals evaluate the applications.

Since 1984, the institute has given 2,888 conservation grants to about 1,079 institutions. Only 15 of those institutions have received 10 or more grants; the N.C. Botanical Garden is one of two gardens nationwide on the list of 15 (the other garden is the Harvard University’s Arnold Arboretum).

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UNC to host meeting of N.C. Commission of Indian Affairs

UNC will host an all-day meeting of the N.C. Commission of Indian Affairs Friday (Dec. 6) starting at 10 a.m. at the new wing of the Frank Porter Graham Student Union.

The commission is the principal agency of state government charged with promoting education, economic opportunities, housing and the cultural interests of American Indians statewide. North Carolina has the largest American Indian population of any state east of the Mississippi River – nearly 100,000 people – according to the 2000 census reports.

Speakers will include leaders of UNC’s American Indian student organizations. Exhibits featuring ancient American Indian artifacts from the N.C. Archaeological Collection and recent archaeological excavations by UNC’s Research Laboratories of Archaeology will be featured.

Morning and afternoon sessions will be held in room 2518, and the commission’s luncheon with speakers and exhibits will be from noon to 2 p.m. in room 1505. All sessions are open to the public.

A meeting agenda is available at www.rla.unc.edu. For further information, contact Dr. Vin Steponaitis at (919) 962-3846 or vin@unc.edu.

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News Services contact: Deb Saine, (919) 962-8415