UNC-system happenings for Oct. 24, 2014

UNC-C gets $12.5 million grant

UNC-Charlotte’s College of Education will receive $12.5 million in grant funding across five years from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs. 

In conjunction with other universities, the money will be used to fund a new national assistance center for high school students with disabilities, helping ease their transition into college and the workplace.

David Test, a UNC-C professor of special education, is leading the effort and said it could potentially serve millions of students.

“What I hope is it will eventually improve outcomes for all students with disabilities.”

WCU battles food insecurity

More than 100 Western Carolina University students have assisted the Jackson County Glean Team in harvesting more than 14,500 pounds of produce and goods in an effort to reduce food insecurity in the area. 

Founded by Willie Jones, the Jackson County Glean Team is a group of volunteers who participate in events to harvest excess food to benefit community organizations.

In Jackson County, 16.1 percent of the population is considered food insecure. 

The volunteers will next conduct “Fill-the-Bag,” when they collect canned goods and toiletry items for members of the community.

NCSU starts business survey

N.C. State University on Sunday released the first results of a new quarterly poll that measures the economy in the Triangle. 

Jeffrey Pollack, assistant professor in the NCSU Poole College of Management, said the Quarterly Outlook of Triangle Entrepreneurs indicates optimism among entrepreneurs. He collected, designed and analyzed the data. 

“Almost 87 percent of businesses that we surveyed were optimistic that sales are going to increase in the next six months,” he said. “We get a sense that there might be some growth that could take place in the next six months that is going to be dramatic.”

FSU hosts exhibit on violence

Fayetteville State University is presenting the “Kin Killin’ Kin” traveling art exhibition that presents images about violence among black youth. 

Dwight Smith, lecturer at FSU and professional artist, brought the exhibit to campus. 

“Much of it is sparked from the issues that are shown in the newspapers on a daily basis here in Fayetteville,” Smith said. “From the problems of youth violence to people killing each other over very silly things.”

Smith said he hopes the exhibit, by James Pate of Dayton, Ohio, will spark a conversation in the community about violence.