Why NC leaders are funding the UNC System Office move from Chapel Hill to Raleigh
The UNC System headquarters could move from Chapel Hill to downtown Raleigh in the next few years, making it close to the state legislature.
The state budget, which was signed into law last week, allocates about $11.4 million for planning and design for the UNC System Office to relocate to Raleigh in the downtown government complex.
The money is slated for the 2022-23 fiscal year. The state budget also includes $1.8 million to study the complex and moving offices.
The UNC System’s political connections are strong as campus operations are largely funded by the state and its governing board members are appointed by state legislators. This move would bring the system office into the hub of North Carolina politics.
Senate leader Phil Berger said to a group of reporters last week that the idea behind the move is to develop some “synergies” by having the UNC system, the N.C. Community College System, K-12 schools and Department of Commerce in the same location.
He also mentioned some people believe the system office being housed on UNC-Chapel Hill’s campus might give the flagship university an advantage.
But ultimately, having the system office “close to the seat of government” and potentially in the same building with K-12 schools, community colleges and commerce will be beneficial “because all of them, at least in part, need to be focused on economic development,” Berger said.
UNC System President Peter Hans said in an interview on Nov. 18 that he wasn’t part of the conversation about relocating the system office, and much of the logistics still need to be studied.
Since the 17-campus system operates from Cullowhee to Elizabeth City and from Boone to Wilmington, Hans said the substance of what they’re doing is more important than where the work might be accomplished.
Collaboration among educational institutions
But the consolidation could be beneficial for further collaboration among educational institutions.
Hans, who was the former president of the community college system, said they already have a good working relationship with the community colleges.
This move might enhance practical initiatives like the common course numbering system that makes it easier for students to get class credit when they transfer from a community college or other UNC System university.
The relocation of the UNC System office been talked about for years, Berger said, but the support hasn’t been there to the extent necessary to actually make it happen.
Berger said he doesn’t know what the campus will look like, but it could involve knocking some buildings down or consolidating the offices into one building in the Halifax Mall area.
The total amount authorized for project is $100 million, according to state budget documents.
