H259 - 2023 Appropriations Act. (SL 2023-134)

Overview: Section 8.17 of S.L. 2023-134 directs the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNC-W) to expand research programs in critical research areas to maintain its classification in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as R2 – High Research Activity. This is to be implemented from the recurring funds appropriated to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina for the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium to be allocated to UNC-W for research programs. UNC-W can use these funds only to expand relevant research programs in critical research areas and cannot supplant other funds already allocated for these purposes.

By March 15, 2024, and every year thereafter in which these funds are provided, UNC-W must report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee and the Fiscal Research Division on the use of the funds with at least the following information:

• A detailed explanation of how the funds are being used, including all expansions on research programs supported by these funds since the previous report and the nature of each expansion.
• All critical research areas as defined by UNC-W.
• The impact of the expansions on the critical research areas, including the extent to which the expansions support the continued classification of UNC-W as a High Research Activity institution.
• Recommended actions to maintain the classification of UNC-W as a High Research Activity institution or to improve that classification to R1 – Very High Research Activity.
• Any other matter UNC-W deems relevant to the efficient and effective expenditure of these funds.

This section became effective July 1, 2023.