UNCA chancellor perks: free housing, country club memberships, car allowance

Benefits send wrong message as school faces $6 million deficit, some say

Professors have been laid off and academic programs may soon be cut, but the perks that come with the chancellor’s job at the University of North Carolina Asheville remain intact: free housing and utilities, country club memberships, bonuses, and a car allowance. The benefits come on top of Chancellor Kimberly van Noort’s $300,000 annual base salary. She receives housing in the chancellor’s residence, membership in a golf club with access to 16 courses in the Southeast, including the Country Club of Asheville, and a $900 monthly car allowance. Beginning next fiscal year, she’ll be eligible for “incentive compensation” of up to 100 percent of her salary, as much as $300,000.

Criticism from Faculty and Students

While not unusual for university presidents, the perks are drawing criticism from some faculty and students as UNCA examines cuts to staff and programs to eliminate a $6 million deficit. In April, the school abruptly dismissed 12 staffers and previously put adjunct professors on notice that their contracts would not be renewed for the next academic year.

“I definitely feel as if budget cuts are happening, the chancellor shouldn’t be excluded from having her salary cut,” said Nashanti Best, a senior majoring in political science. “It would just be fair.” Abbie Stabosz, a 2024 graduate in environmental science, said she was surprised to learn of the chancellor’s benefits. “She should be able to pay for some of those things out of her salary,” Stabosz said.

Defenders and Justifications

Dylan McBridewood, a 2024 UNCA graduate in economics, called van Noort’s salary reasonable, and if anything, “on the low side.” “At the end of the day, the university needs to offer competitive compensation to attract and retain talented leadership,” McBridewood said. He said van Noort is not to blame for the university’s budget shortfall, which is largely the result of declining enrollment that is plaguing liberal arts universities nationwide.

Van Noort’s base salary is the lowest of 15 chancellors in the UNC System whose pay is listed in the state salary database. A 16th school, Winston-Salem State University, was not included because the chancellor’s position was unfilled at the time.

Chancellor’s Perks Justified, Defenders Say

Bob H. noted that these perks are offered by the UNC system and are not decided by van Noort herself. He believes that the chancellor deserves her salary as it is not excessive for the responsibilities she holds.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the perks and benefits granted to Chancellor Kimberly van Noort have sparked a debate among faculty, students, and the community at large. While some criticize the privileges as inappropriate given the university’s budget deficit and recent staff cuts, others defend them as necessary to attract and retain talented leadership in a competitive academic landscape.