UNCA slashes Environmental Quality Institute

UNC Asheville has announced that its closing the Environmental Quality Institute, a research arm of the university that tested water and air quality for arsenic, lead and mercury levels. It did the work for local governments, it worked with local citizen groups and it gave undergraduate students hands-on experience.

The institute was built up an received some national notice under Rick Maas, a great UNCA asset who died a few years back. But somehow, UNCA has now deemed the institute "non-essential."

How does this happen? I'm shocked, and I'm disappointed in the leadership at UNCA that made this decision. I know that budget times are tough, but damn.

Comments

[Newspaper Junkie]

As an intrepid investigative reporter, maybe you could ask some questions. How much did UNC Asheville save by cutting the Environmental Quality Institute? What was its budget, not just in total, but in detail? How much revenue did it generate? How many groups/individuals did it serve? How many students were involved? Was it funded through state budgets or from grants? How did the Institute fit with UNCA's sustainability emphasis? Who was consulted in making the decision to cut the Institute? Who made the decision? Will the services offered by the Institute be available elsewhere?

[Asheville Dweller]

They finally opened their eyes and found out that Global Warming is snake oil, Kudos for them.

[Russa]

Say What, Asheville Dweller?! Say what you want about Global Warming, but the EQI's main focus wasn't about supporting Global Warming theories; the primary focus was testing water and air quality on a public health level. Last time I checked its been proven (and not some left wing conspiracy theory) that lead, mercury and arsenic are poisonous, if not life threatening, to humans and wildlife. So if you want to suck on a mercury milkshake, go right ahead, but the EQI was doing a great service for our community and state and I'm pissed that the brass at UNCA cut the funding. Why don't you read what Ashe put on his post instead of reading "Environmental Quality Institute", stopping and saying "oh its some Globaloney Warming B.S., must write self-righteous B.S. myself."

[Carolyn Ashworth]

When I was an undergraduate at UNCA, I worked in the EQI under Dr. Maas. I can honestly say that it was his charisma and vision that kept the EQI going. He was able to land unbelievable contracts with Greenpeace, the state of California, and many others to study issues that are extremely relevant and important today. They led work to find a replacement for CCA lumber, conducted hair analysis studies to link mercury contamination with the location of coal fired power plants, and much more. I was always amazed at the often behind the scenes contributions Dr. Maas was able to make to national, even global environmental quality issues. Not only that, but he gave UNCA students like myself the opportunity to participate and even take a leading role in these groundbreaking research initiatives, thereby building their research portfolios and imparting real-world job skills.

Dr. Maas was a big thinker, controversial in many ways, but undeniably a man who was able to make things happen. The EQI was his baby, and while I'm sad it's gone, I'm not surprised. It was his fire, sincerity, and vision that kept it funded and strong. The closure of EQI is just a small example of the leadership vacuum Dr. Maas' untimely death created in the environmental community. He is sorely missed in this way, but also as a mentor and friend.

[Martha]

Whoo! Right on, Russa. I for one, think this was a big mistake on UNCA's part. Surely there are some other areas that are not as essential to the well-being of our community.

[Asheville Dweller]

Thats how I feel about Global warming, And I read it, and still have the same opinion, It just differs yours, its called freedom of speech and its a two way street not just who is louder.