§ 116-1. Purpose.
Chapter 116.
Higher Education.
Article 1.
The University of North Carolina.
Part1. General Provisions.
§ 116‑1. Purpose.
(a) In order to foster the development of a well‑plannedand coordinated system of higher education, to improve the quality of education,to extend its benefits and to encourage an economical use of the State'sresources, the University of North Carolina is hereby redefined in accordancewith the provisions of this Article.
(b) The University of North Carolina is a public, multicampus universitydedicated to the service of North Carolina and its people. It encompasses the16 diverse constituent institutions and other educational, research, and publicservice organizations. Each shares in the overall mission of the university.That mission is to discover, create, transmit, and apply knowledge to addressthe needs of individuals and society. This mission is accomplished throughinstruction, which communicates the knowledge and values and imparts the skillsnecessary for individuals to lead responsible, productive, and personallysatisfying lives; through research, scholarship, and creative activities, whichadvance knowledge and enhance the educational process; and through publicservice, which contributes to the solution of societal problems and enrichesthe quality of life in the State. In the fulfillment of this mission, theuniversity shall seek an efficient use of available resources to ensure thehighest quality in its service to the citizens of the State.
Teaching and learning constitute the primary service that theuniversity renders to society. Teaching, or instruction, is the primaryresponsibility of each of the constituent institutions. The relative importanceof research and public service, which enhance teaching and learning, variesamong the constituent institutions, depending on their overall missions. (1971, c. 1244, s. 1; 1995, c. 507, s. 15.17.)