Community Rallies to Save UNCA Woods Amid Development Proposal

ASHEVILLE, North Carolina — Save the Woods members hosted a community meeting to reinforce their demand to preserve the University of North Carolina-Asheville’s Forest. The gathering, held at the North Asheville Library, aimed to raise awareness about the potential destruction of the university’s 45-acre urban woodland.

According to a recent proposal from Chancellor Kimberly van Noort, which outlines possible development on the university’s Millennial Campus properties, concerned citizens have begun to organize. The proposal includes plans for affordable housing, research facilities, and recreational spaces. In response, the “Save the Woods” initiative has formed to push back against any development that threatens the forest. Led by community member Chris Cotteta, the meeting brought together students, faculty, environmental advocates, and residents. The movement emphasizes the ecological, educational, and cultural significance of the forest, which serves as a vital wildlife habitat and offers spaces for learning and leisure.

“As organizers, we go into this like, do we stand firm and say don’t cut down the woods, or come at it in a compromise approach?” said Cotteta. “And what I advocate is that we come out of it with both approaches.”

Although opposition to the proposed development is strong, some attendees expressed a willingness to explore alternatives. Community members voiced openness to revised plans that balance sustainability with growth, provided the forest remains protected. 

“I would say that it’s great if they could build true affordable housing would be a great thing that generally does not happen very often, specifically for students said Callie Warner.

Local advocates such as Callie Warner and Kerry Graham-Walter have played a key role in organizing efforts to preserve the space. They, along with other members of the campaign, argue that urban green areas like the UNCA forest are increasingly rare and essential to the health and identity of the community.

“This has been a very humbling experience for me. I never cease to be amazed by how talented and passionate all of the people in the community have come together around this, and it feels sometimes like a very uphill battle, but I remain hopeful just based on the level of support and dedication,” said Graham-Walter.  

According to members of Save the Woods, some UNC Asheville students have expressed fear about speaking out against the proposed development, citing concerns over potential academic or social repercussions. While many students support the preservation of the forest, some say they worry about challenging university leadership or appearing confrontational in a close-knit campus community. Others fear that voicing opposition could impact relationships with professors or future opportunities. This hesitancy has led some advocates to call for stronger protections for student voices and more transparent channels for feedback without fear of retaliation.

“I feel like more and more are speaking up, there are a lot more protests going on on campus right now, and not just about save the woods as a student, I think they don’t want the woods developed from the conversations I had, but there are so many other pressing issues,” said Graham-Walter.

In response to ongoing financial challenges and a significant enrollment decline. According to UNC Asheville Chancellor van Noort, she proposed cutting several academic programs while initiating plans to develop roughly 90 acres of unused campus land. The proposed cuts include eliminating departments such as Drama, Philosophy, Religious Studies, and Ancient Mediterranean Studies, along with reductions to French and German language concentration programs that collectively produced a small percentage of total graduates. University officials cite a projected $8 million budget shortfall and a 25% enrollment drop over five years as the primary drivers behind the restructuring. At the same time, the Chancellor’s “Asheville 2030” initiative seeks to utilize undeveloped property to expand infrastructure and generate long-term growth, a move that has sparked controversy among students and faculty who question the prioritization of real estate over academic offerings.

“A way to balance the budget, the Chancellor cut a lot of core liberal arts programs, and Callie talks about that, too,” said Graham-Walter. Theres are a lot of students who come to UNCA for Philosophy, drama, and the liberal arts experience, but they’re not getting that. I sense that the student body at UNCA is incredibly frustrated with the administration for a lot of reasons”.

According to Callie Warner, they have received documents stating, UNC Asheville’s Millennial Campus initiative, a state-backed development project, has ignited significant controversy among students, faculty, and the local community. The project designates state-owned land on the university’s campus for commercial and research ventures, generating revenue through private partnerships. Critics argue that none of the profits from these ventures are reinvested into the university’s academic programs, particularly the liberal arts departments, which are facing cuts due to budget deficits. This situation has led to accusations that the university is prioritizing corporate interests over its educational mission.

Warner also mentions that the financial challenges at UNC Asheville are not unique; they reflect broader trends in higher education funding, particularly in North Carolina, the first state to introduce the Millennial Campus concept. The state’s approach has been criticized for diverting resources away from traditional academic programs in favor of revenue-generating initiatives. The controversy has generated opposition, with over 11,000 signatures collected on petitions against the development. Community members, including students and faculty, express concern that the university is losing its identity as a public liberal arts institution. They argue that the focus is shifting from education to commercialization, undermining the core values of higher education. As other states consider adopting similar models, the situation at UNC Asheville serves as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of prioritizing corporate partnerships over academic integrity and community engagement.

 “It’s turning education into a cooperation,” said Warner.

In response to the proposed academic program cuts at UNC Asheville, Chancellor Kimberly van Noort emphasized the necessity of these decisions for the university’s long-term viability, stating,

“Reducing program offerings is a painful step, and this is difficult for all of us. The University remains steadfast in its commitment to the entire community and will fully support all students in the impacted programs and all impacted faculty members as we move forward.”

She further highlighted the importance of these measures in addressing the university’s financial challenges, noting that such actions are essential to ensure the institution’s future success.

The Save the Woods campaign plans to continue rallying public support, engaging with university officials, and presenting alternative proposals that emphasize conservation. As discussions move forward, organizers remain committed to protecting what they view as an irreplaceable resource for both the campus and the wider Asheville community. 

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This story is part of a semester-long investigative reporting project into the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. It was created by an advanced reporting class in the Journalism, Advertising, and Media Studies program at UW-Milwaukee. Other stories from the project are available here.

This work was made possible through the support of MPC Endowment Ltd., the philanthropic affiliate of the Milwaukee Press Club.