The University of North Carolina at Pembroke is a comprehensive University committed to academic excellence in a balanced program of teaching, research, and service. It offers a broad range of degrees and nationally accredited professional programs at the bachelor's and master's levels. Combining the opportunities available in a large university with the personal attention characteristic of a small college, the University provides an intellectually challenging environment created by a faculty dedicated to effective teaching, interaction with students, and scholarship. Graduates are academically and personally prepared for rewarding careers, postgraduate education, and community leadership.

Founded in 1887 to educate American Indians, the University now serves a student body reflective of the rich cultural diversity of American society. As it stimulates interaction within and among its cultural groups, the University enables its students to become informed, principled, and tolerant citizens with a global perspective.

The university encourages the pursuit of education as a lifelong experience so that its graduates will be equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Drawing strength from its heritage, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke continues to expand its leadership role in enriching the intellectual, economic, social, and cultural life of the region, the state, and the nation.  

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke is an active participant in the North Carolina Environmental Sustainability Initiative. Present sustainability actions include:

• Computerized Energy Management System

UNC Pembroke presently has nine buildings operating on a computerized energy management system. The system allows for automatic control of HVAC systems by cycling the systems off during non-peak hours resulting in a reduction in energy consumption. Current plans include the implementation of three additional buildings.

• Recycling Program

UNC Pembroke has developed a recycling program aimed at reducing the quantity of refuse delivered to the county landfill and refuse disposal cost. Items recycled include:

v Cardboard: All cardboard is collected from trash containment areas, broken down, bailed and removed from UNCP property by a local vendor.

v     Scrap Metal: Scrap Metal is isolated and removed from all Physical Plant maintenance work order locations and placed in a designated metal container where it is sold for recycled material by a local vendor. 

v     Paper Products:  Paper products, such as office paper are discarded in dedicated “paper bins” which are accumulated and bailed for pickup by a local vendor.  University newspapers are collected from the Library or other office areas and used by University Grounds for bed maintenance “weed control”.  In addition, newspapers are shared with a local Veterinarian office for animal waste control.

v     Aluminum Cans: Aluminum cans are collected in designated containers throughout the UNCP campus for the purpose of recycling.

v     Motor Pool: Vehicle items such as batteries, tires and used motor oil are isolated and picked up by local vendors as recycled materials. Oil is sent to a recycling center while tires are recycled through the guidelines of the county landfill.

v     Yard Waste: The UNCP Grounds Department collects yard waste, which is chipped and composted for use in bed maintenance and plantings.

v     Other: Other items identified and collected for designated disposal at the landfill include paint containers and lighting ballast.

• Transportation

UNC Pembroke utilizes electric golf carts as a form of campus transportation.  Departments using this transportation mode include: Physical Plant, University Police and Business Services. Electric golf carts have proven to be dependable, cost efficient and serve as an alternative to fuel consumption utility vehicles.

• “Keep Robeson County Clean and Green” Supporter

In conjunction with the Robeson County Clean and Green coordinator, UNC Pembroke promotes county-wide recognition of recycling efforts by advertising the  “Keep Robeson County Clean and Green” Program by use of road signs at all university exists and front license plates on Physical Plant vehicles.  

The UNC-Pembroke Environmental Sustainability Officer is Perry Cummings, Physical Plant Director, who can be reached at 910-521-6601.