STOP The Steal Union Square: UNC Board of  Governors Institutional Racketeering and Racism   Michael Pippen, Sr. updated 04.07.21
 
"This national model of collaboration is identifying and acting on opportunities to transform our wealth of educational assets into economic success—creating for Greensboro a competitive advantage for business growth."
"Created by  Action Greensboro, Union Square Campus is a key initiative of Opportunity Greensboro, a working group of leaders from Greensboro businesses, foundations and higher education institutions. This national model of collaboration is identifying and acting on opportunities to transform our wealth of educational assets into economic success—creating for Greensboro a competitive advantage for business growth.  Emphasis added.  The presence of a downtown university campus provides a vehicle to spur additional economic growth in the way of housing, retail stores and other opportunities.   The first campus building will focus on training and education for healthcare professions.  Nursing education at Union Square Campus will engage students at every level: 2-year Associates Degree, RN to BSN and  accelerated BSN programs, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and continuing education certificate programs. The proposed campus is designed to drive economic and workforce development for a knowledge based, global economy."   Union Square & Public domain Media
NC A&T and UNCG Chancellors sign 10 year Union Square facility leases, not approved by the State property Office and Council of State nor pursuant delegated authority, claiming duly authorized to do
 so, diverting State supported programs from State owned facilities to leased private facilities.  Unauthorized leases may have help secure up to 2 acres of land for site, 250 parking spaces (surface or as part of a deck to service multiple users) at no cost to the Campus, and provide up to $500,000 toward site development from the Greensboro.  In addition Union Square leases may have been used to secure $16 million  financing from Wachovia bank.
 
NCA&T existing Nursing facilities consisted of 48, 000 Sq. Ft. refurbished Noble Hall. Adjacent Hines Hall was renovated ($1,700) in 2013to house NC A&T Simulation Center and Virtual leaning lab. NCA&T average Nursing enrollment 2009-2013 was 119 students. The NCA&T (Tenant) projected 105 enrollment at Union Square constitute 88% of the average enrollment and 25,000 sq. ft. lease constitute a 50% expansion for Nursing facilities, at a time when the BOG was considering terminating the largest component of NCA&T’s BSN program - traditional nursing program. NCA&T will offer classes in this location for students in both its Accelerated Second Degree (ABSN - a program whereby individuals who already possess a bachelor's degree take an accelerated program to earn a degree in nursing) and RN-BSN (BSNC- those students who have already passed the nursing exam, but have not earned their bachelor's degree) programs. The Tuition in State for the ABSN and RN-BSN is $5420 (1 year) and RN-BSN is $3534 per year, neither program Tuition will cover the approximate $6000 per enrollee lease payment to Union Square. Note : A&T opened  2,700 Sq. ft. high fidelity Nursing Simulation & Virtual Learning Center  (video)  Dec. 2013 in  Hines Hall.   Slide Show
 

Were Brady and Martin Recruiters/ Agents/ spokesperson's for  Opportunity Greensboro
"Harold Martin and Linda Brady are huge proponents of this and they are not here tonight, because there is a reason, that is they are in Wilmington, NC actually talking "Some within higher education complain that the region's universities and colleges at times seem to just another arm of the Chamber of Commerce. " [4]
to public and private college through out the state of North Carolina about Opportunity Greensboro the cooperation between business and higher education institution here and this very project, that's what they are doing tonight and that's why they couldn't be here" Ed Kitchen Video     Opposition to Union Square   Michael Pippen Video  
 

DEVELOPER’S OBLIGATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF AND IMPROVEMENTS TO PROPERTY

Whereas the schedule for the project, subject to receipt of all anticipated sources of funding, proposes construction beginning in early 2015 and completion and opening of the first building of the campus in the summer of 2016. The City Council herby directs the City Manager and staff, working with the organizers of Union Square Campus, the Redevelopment Commission and Master Developer, to develop a funding methodology that utilizes current and anticipated revenues from existing City revenue sources to help support the following items: Provide up to 2 acres of land within the site and 250 parking spaces (surface or as part of a deck to service multiple users) at no cost to the Campus and, provide up to $500,000 toward site development, other infrastructure, and construction costs. In addition, the City Manager and staff are directed to begin development of a plan to enhance the street scape in the vicinity of the site. The schedule for the project, subject to receipt of all anticipated sources of funding, proposes construction beginning in early 2015 and completion and opening of the first building of the campus in the summer of 2016.

SALE AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
(b) Financial Responsibility. The Component Developer shall provide, prior to commencement of construction of any Improvements, such documentation as may be required by the Commission to evidence the projected construction costs and the Component Developer’s financial ability, through capital contributions, grants, loans or otherwise, to complete the Improvements in accordance with this Agreement.  PROPERTY DESCRIPTION. The property that is the subject of this Agreement consists of approximately [1.00 acres] at the southwest intersection of Arlington Street and East Lee Street in the City of Greensboro, North Carolina.
 January 2015 – Redevelopment Commission voted to send first priority Alternate A [Lee & Arlington Streets] to Council along with Sale/Development Agreement for Alternate B at Lee & South Elm Streets as an additional option for consideration.  Requested Action Consider approval of sale and option of land identified as Alternate A, at Lee and Arlington Streets, or Alternate B, at Lee and South Elm Streets, to Union Square Campus Inc...
 
Debt Service was to be covered by lease payment from tenants, UNC Greensboro, GTCC, NC A&T, and Cone Health. Emphasis added. The schedule for the project, subject to receipt of all anticipated sources of funding, proposes construction beginning in early 2015 and completion and opening of the first building of the campus in the summer of 2016. 
 
 
Alleged Letter dated February 18, 2014 Attn: Harold L. Martin, Ph.D. Re: Intent to Lease Space at Union Square Campus, from  Pat Danahy, Chairman Union Square Campus, Inc, received pursuant public record request.
We are please to submit the following non-binding Letter of Intent to you to lease space in the planned facility referred to as University Center, to be located at the property south of the intersection of South Elm Street and Lee Street in Greensboro, North Carolina (the "Facility") which is expected to be the first building constructed in connection with the Union Square Campus project.
 
We anticipate that North Carolina A&T State University( NCA&T' or Tenant") would seek approval from the NCA&T Board of Trustee, UNC Board of Governors, and the North Carolina Council of State to occupy a certain amount of exclusive and shared space in the Facility for NCA&T programs to be later agreed upon by the parties. Emphasis added.
 This letter of Intent ... simply evidences the intent of Tenant to seek the required approvals to allocate funding necessary to support the lease obligations, occupy , and proceed with the negotiation for lease of the exclusive and shared space....that the lease will be in a from satisfactory to the Sate Property Office and the Attorney General of the State of North Carolina, signed Pat Danahy, Chairman Union Square Campus, Inc.
 

Is UNC Greensboro manipulating NC A&T  through  Harold Martin?
 
 

Committee on Educational Planning, Policies, and Programs April 10, 2014

Ms. Joni Worthington Vice President for Communications UNC General Administration

In its April 2014 meeting, the University of North Carolina (UNC) Board of Governors completed its annual review of the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) first-time writers’ pass rates for graduates of the nursing programs across the University system. Subsequent to that review and in keeping with UNC Board of Governors policy 400.1.7, the Board suspended new admissions to the BSN program at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University (NCA&T) after 2014 and called for a full review of the program, emphasis added.
 
Specifically, the motion approved by the Board was as follows:
 

“The 2013 Nursing Report is for informational purposes only and does not require a motion to accept. However, in 2012 North Carolina A&T State University received a waiver from the Board of Governors’ policy which would have required the initiation of program termination procedures. This waiver was granted under the condition that North Carolina A&T State University 2013 test takers would meet Board of Governors’ NCLEX-RN passing rate standards. I move that new admissions to the nursing program be suspended for all students admitted after 2014 and a panel convened within sixty days to review possible program elimination at North Carolina A&T State University.”

 

In his May 2014 charge to the review team, UNC President Tom Ross requested “a full and comprehensive review of program strengths and weaknesses, student demand and employer need for additional baccalaureate nurses, the full costs of program delivery, and potential net savings (or losses) to the institution, the system, the state, and employers of full or partial program closure.” Emphasis added
 

06.25.14
Michael Pippen, Sr. 
Black Triad News. com

Mr. John Webb
State Property Office

On information and belief the Department of Administration is considering NCA&T and UNCG Space Lease at the proposed downtown Campus.  UNC Board of Governors April 2014 approved Acquisition of Space by Lease, NCA&T and UNCG on the consent agenda. And motion new admission to NCA&TSU nursing program be suspended for all students admitted after 2014 and a panel convened within 60 days to review possible program elimination at North Carolina A&T State University. [Minutes of April 11, 2014]
UNC Board of Governors April 2014 approved Acquisition of Space by Lease, NCA&TSU and UNCG on the consent agenda . And a motion that new admissions to NCA&TSU nursing program be suspended for all students admitted after 2014 and a panel convened within 60 days to review possible program elimination at North Carolina A&T State University. [Open Minutes of April 11, 2014]
Lease documents Acquisition of Space by Lease, NCA&TSU and UNCG says "NCA&TSU anticipates to lease approximately 25,000 sq. ft. at between $18 and $23.50 per sq. ft. per year. Total yearly lease payments would be between $450,000 and $587,500. This space would house enrollment expansion in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and allow current students more access to state-of-the-art laboratory space." [Acquisition of Space by Lease - NCA&TSU and UNCG]
In 2012, 2,700 sq. ft. of space was identified as underutilized space in Hines Hall which NC A&T retrofitted to accommodate their Nursing Simulation and Virtual lab, partial paid for with Title III funding. The Hines Hall simulation retrofits augmented Nursing facilities housed in Noble Hall which is adjacent to the Center for Behavioral Health and Wellness across the street. NC A&T responses to UNC Tomorrow Reports pertaining to the Nursing program and how the university would address the need for addition health care professionals indicate:
  • The Nursing program is approved for 80 students per year in the junior and senior years.
  • Annually, the program graduates 40-60 students.
  • Classroom facilities were adequate for proposal to offer Joint Master in Nursing Teaching Education with NC A&T Department of Education.
  • The recently initiated high fidelity simulation into the experiences of students will be expanded as rapidly as possible to enhance the clinical experiences currently available and allow faculty members to control the learning environment to a greater extent. [ UNC Tomorrow Phase II 2008] 
 
 

From:  "Michael Byers"

To: Jonathan Womer

Subject:  Union Square Campus lease

Jonathan,

As we discussed, John Webb in the State Property Office has asked that we use the UNC-GA delegated authority for acquisition by lease to obtain the lease (s) for UNCG and NCA&T for the Union Square Campus initiative rather than sending it through State Property and Council of State.  Emphasis added
  I have attached the BOG minutes for that Item.  It appears that the authorization from BOG does not require us to forward it to SPO/COS.  The only document that mentions it is the letter from Charlie P to Chancellor Brady (attached).

Let me know if you think UNC-GA can execute the lease (s) rather than SPO/COS.
 

Situation: NCA&TSU and UNCG request approval to acquire space by lease as part of a public-private partnership involving a private developer, Cone Health, Guilford Technical Community College, the City of Greensboro, and other institutions. The proposed leases are for 10 years and require Board of Governors approval because they are over $500,000. Emphasis added.
NC A&T and UNCG are not Delegated Campuses that could self-approve leases therefore were not eligible for President of  UNC System delegated authority to approve  Union Square leases; Furthermore NC A&T and UNCG  maximum Union square lease value of $587,000 and $775, 000 exceed the President authority of $500,000.  Whereas the value of the leases exceed $500,000 per year Board of Governor  approval would still be required pursuant.
 

Fr  Brooks Skinner Sent Tuesday, August 05, 2014 To Jonathan Womer, Jonathan C. Pruitt

 Subject Re: Union Square Campus Lease

We certainly have the authority to approve this lease. So, it is a policy decision as JW suggests.
 
NC A&T and UNCG Chancellors sign 10 year Union Square facility leases, claiming duly authorized to do so, not approved by the State property Office and Council of State, nor,  pursuant Delegated authority, diverting State supported programs from State owned facilities to leased private facilities.  Bogus Lease may have help secure up to 2 acres of land within the site and 250 parking spaces (surface or as part of a deck to service multiple users) at no cost to the Campus and, provide up to $500,000 toward site development from the Greensboro, and  may have been used to secure $16 million Bank financing from Wachovia bank.
 
 
 
 

 
 
UNC Associate VP for Legal Affairs Brooks Skinner email dated December 03, 2014 says: at  1, As I understand it, SPO asked for these leases to execute under the President authority. Once approved, the President delegates signature authority to the Chancellor. Michael T. Byers, UNC Office of Business Affairs-Campus Enterprises, email dated Thursday , December 4, 2014 says " These (leases) are ready for the Chancellors to sign once GA gives the Green light.    Bruce Warrington,  UNC Property Office , email to State Property Officer John Webb stating we do not have a lease on record  UNCGA agreement for Union Square in Greensboro, unambiguous indicate Acquisition of Space by lease NCA&T and UNCG were not authorized pursuant Presidents authority.  Our record reflect that this was an agreement  between NCA&T and UNC-Greensboro and other parties.   NC A&T and UNCG Chancellors lacked legal authority to sign leases with Union Square Campus, Inc. claiming duly authorized to do so.
 
 
 
UNC Associate VP for Legal Affairs Brooks Skinner email dated December 03, 2014 says: at  1, As I understand it, SPO asked for these leases to execute under the President authority. Once approved, the President delegates signature authority to the Chancellor. Michael T. Byers, UNC Office of Business Affairs-Campus Enterprises, email dated Thursday , December 4, 2014 says " These (leases) are ready for the Chancellors to sign once GA gives the Green light.    Bruce Warrington,  UNC Property Office , email to State Property Officer John Webb stating we do not have a lease on record  UNCGA agreement for Union Square in Greensboro, unambiguous indicate Acquisition of Space by lease NCA&T and UNCG were not authorized pursuant Presidents authority.  Our record reflect that this was an agreement  between NCA&T and UNC-Greensboro and other parties collectively entirety  lack of  NC A&T and UNCG legal authority to sign leases with Union Square Campus, Inc..
 
UNC Policy Manual, Section 302 E of The Code, “Each standing committee shall make a written report to the Board of Governors at least annually, reviewing the work of the committee during the preceding year.”  Note: The President Report all actions taken under the authority of these delegations to the appropriate Committee of the Board of Governors either in writing before the next regular meeting of the Board of Governors or at the next regular meeting of the Board of Governors.

Clearly ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND FINANCE TO THE BOARD  indicated  UNC Board of  Governors approved Acquisition of Space by Lease  subject to approval by the State Property Office, and accomplished within the guidelines, procedure, and policies of the North Carolina Department of Administration.
 
N.C. A&T Scores Big with Union Square Partnership

 8/5/2016

The greater Greensboro community has anxiously awaited the opening of the Union Square Campus for several years. The ribbon cutting ceremony finally arrived on Friday, Aug. 5 and no other entity was as excited or proud as North Carolina A&T State University.

As one of the campus’ inaugural and pioneering tenants, along with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Guilford Technical Community College, and Cone Health, N.C. A&T will house its accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Registered Nurse-Bachelor of Science in Nursing Completion entry programs.

The partnership is a result of A&T’s continued effort and commitment to remain on the cutting edge in collaboration and innovation. As a stakeholder and tenant of the Union Square Campus, the university continues to fulfill the mandates and requirements necessary to obtain its strategic goals of Preeminence 2020.

"Union Square Campus is an innovative approach to training our future leaders in health care. It will redefine traditional methods and is a way to strengthen public and private partnerships here in the Triad,” said Chancellor Harold L. Martin Sr. “It’s exciting to see this national model unfold.” Emphasis added.

The 84,000 square feet campus, replete with state-of-the-art simulation and virtual technology will allow A&T’s School of Nursing to create transformational learning experiences for all of its nursing students. With highly-skilled nurses projected to continue to be in high demand, A&T is preparing a professional workforce as well as industry leaders.

Addressing an overflowing crowd, in the 340-seat auditorium, Pat Danahy, Union Square Campus board chairman, applauded the inaugural tenants for being part of a model of collaboration and funding that will yield dividends throughout the immediate community and for the common good. Emphasis added.
 

STOP The Steal Union Square