Carolina North

Resolution in Support of Carolina North

WHEREAS, Carolina North is the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s planned living and learning campus, designed to expand Carolina’s multiple missions, boost innovation and redefine the University’s engagement with the region and the state, and

WHEREAS, the University’s research enterprise already fuels economic activity for the state, and the University strives to build upon that at Carolina North, attracting private companies to partner with University faculty and transforming research into products and services to improve quality of life, and

WHEREAS, Carolina North will be a catalyst for the economic transformation of our state, generating jobs and tax revenues, and

WHEREAS, the University values the service its Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program provides to the people of North Carolina and is committed to maintaining that service, and

WHEREAS, the University has conducted an extensive study to identify alternative airport sites for Medical Air operations and has determined that Raleigh-Durham International Airport meets the criteria of accessibility, cost effectiveness and timeliness.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees strongly endorses the vision for and urgency of Carolina North as being critical to the education, research and service missions of the University and to the economic well-being of the state, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees affirms and values the services that the Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) provides to the people of North Carolina and is committed to preserving and enhancing the important work of AHEC.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees believes that the continued long-term use of Horace Williams Airport presents an impediment to the start of Carolina North, and that, after carefully weighing the alternatives, we recommend closure of the airport and relocation of Medical Air Operations to Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The Board further states the University’s intention to keep the airport open and not move Medical Air Operations to RDU until construction of Carolina North is ready to begin.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University pledges its willingness to assist a sponsor in a search for a new airport.