$100 million for a new office tower. What does that get you these days? A 20 story tower? It has to be built in 4 years? Probably save a lot by not needing to buy a lot if it’s on a state owned lot.
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@clairebertt I’m also a student-employee at State (and UNC; it’s a joint program), so I get that there’s some administrative efficiencies to be gained too. I guess my main worry is about the longer-term consequences in the grand scheme of things:
Is it still worth it if the reasoning and political implications for moving the system headquarters to Raleigh are so backwards to the point that it makes it easier to undermine the entire UNC system’s integrity and mandate? Put another way, I’m worried that the move to Raleigh could be good for its superficial standings and jobs numbers, but bad in the long run by making the entire state university system less valuable.
If this were purely and genuinely a move for greater administrative improvements, then sure, I’d be fine if they move to Raleigh or Rocky Mount or literally anywhere else; the location should not matter for an office with statewide functions. The problem is that this move only further incentivizes the BoG to act in secretive ways and repeat scandals that make all of North Carolina into a laughing stock and a less attractive place to work and live.
True, other states also have state university systems that are more centrally (and some are more robust than others: compare New York’s SUNY system to how Michigan’s non-flagship institutions are rotting away). But unlike Detroit or upstate New York, the Triangle’s economic value proposition and cultural identity uniquely puts reliable public universities front and center. Doesn’t this mean that, even from a Raleigh-centric point of view, we should be more wary of political intrusion into our universities?
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it has happened many times with state govt. portions of DHR moving, etc. moving and consolidating due to various issues that may make one location over another more desired by state officials. community colleges are all over the state and their ‘head’ is in downtown Raleigh at i think a different location that it was 30 years ago. no biggie here. dmv moved drivers license records to falls of the Neuse from jones street 30 years ago.
I would say it would have been worth it, had the DOLRT not gotten cancelled. That would have put a station at the spot where Hamilton dead ends into Prestwick. I lived at Glen Lennox for a year in around 2006, the square-loop interchange of Raleigh Rd and Fordham Blvd (NC54 and US15/501) is a barrier to be sure, but not nearly as bad as the interchanges on the Beltline or I-40 for example.
Redeveloping the UNC system HQ could have put a lot more people within walking distance of that DOLRT station.
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With the Triangle housing both the flagship institution and the state’s largest university in the system, it certainly makes sense that the HQ be in the Triangle. The trouble is that it already is. If the existing facility in Chapel Hill was end of life, was too expensive to rehab, etc., then a strong case could be made for moving it to Raleigh where both the state government and its largest institution are.
If Chapel Hill weren’t in the Triangle, then an even stronger case could be made for purposely moving it. As it stands, the current location isn’t out of reach for effective collaboration with the state government. This especially true these days where virtual collaboration is more normalized.
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Hey, NC State is a flagship institution also.
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Upon completion of the degree programs, who awards them?
Trust me. There’s no hate on NC State. I’m an alumnus. 
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I’ll happily cheer for NC State over UNC in sports any day, but UNC is absolutely the flagship, even if there’s some kind of in-name-only deal happening.
It’s like when Texas A&M or UCLA try to get politicians to say there’s more than one flagship in their own states.
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Though in TAMU’s case, they do head a system with several campuses.
Still, point made.
That’s true if that were the case. The current facility still has some life in it, though. UNC’s 2019 campus master plan, which includes the system headquarters, does not include the facility in the list of 32 buildings in need of a demolition or renovation.
Both! My degree will be conferred from both universities, and will have both universities’ seals and chancellor signatures on it. Practically, I go to UNC to do my research, but I also have all the rights and privileges of a State student as well.
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Really? I got impression when I lived in Chapel Hill area for a few years; they thought Chapel Hill was above the rest of triangle. 
2, 2, 2 degrees in 1!
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partially right perhaps. when the state computer center moved to falls of neuse (a particularly unnoticeable bldg that had elevated panels over its entire lover level (mainframe floor) there was talk of having computer records in not such a noticeable (govt sign on the front) bldg in case of civil insurrection. not making this up
At least they were planning ahead.
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And maybe a tram someday with PNC arena.
Looks like the UNC system that’s moving from Chapel Hill is going to take up space in the Dillon.
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Was expecting the Zimmer or 501 Fayettville but nice.
Anybody know where to get more info on these proposals?
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Here’s the full budget
Didn’t skim through yet but I doubt it has actual details of the buildings.
I’m hoping whoever buys the DMV lot gets that right. Very important land there.
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