-Our Co-founder and treasurer had his admission revoked from UNCA! Please read Matthew Zimmerman's Statement:
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I enrolled at UNC Asheville at the beginning of last spring semester through my VA Vocational Rehabilitation program, which fully funded my tuition. Within my first two weeks, an anti-LGBT group was allowed on campus and relentlessly harassed our students. In response, I became involved with YDSA, Save the Woods, and helped organize anti-ICE protests. Through this activism, I saw the need to bring together students, faculty, and staff who opposed the harmful status quo.
Over the summer, our unofficial student action group met with the Chancellor and the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs to address serious issues created by the administration. First was the firing of our Dean of Students, Megan Pugh, after a right-wing group secretly filmed her making pro-DEI statements. Then, student housing targeted our trans students by sending them emails stating they could not stay in the housing of their affirmed gender and even requiring doctor’s notes to “prove” their identity.
At the start of this semester, on August 18, 2025, during the first Student Government meeting, I served as a transfer senator. I used my position to speak about the unjust firing of Dean Pugh, to advocate for our trans students, and to demand student representation on UNCA’s new Millennial Campus Commission Board, which has direct implications for saving our woods.
Just two days later, on August 20, I was unexpectedly called into the campus police station. There, I was placed in a room with six others, including two police officers and the new Dean of Students, Melony Fox. I was asked about prior criminal history, which I openly acknowledged: more than seven years ago, at the end of a period of homelessness, I stole two laptops from a hotel.
Dean Fox claimed that because I had not checked a box on my application regarding prior legal issues, my enrollment could be revoked on the grounds of “falsifying information.” She told me there was no appeal process.
This decision came as a shock, especially because I have worked hard to rebuild my life and was making meaningful progress. Just two hours before this meeting, our Student Action Group was confirmed as an official student organization. To be expelled under these circumstances feels not only punitive, but retaliatory against my student leadership and organizing work.
Matthew Zimmerman
Navy Veteran
(Former) Treasurer for UNCA YDSA
(Former) Treasurer for UNCA Student Action Coalition
Our Voices Are Being Silenced Everywhere, Even on Social Media!
Comments were turned off after less than 30 minutes 👀
Gone from social media but not forgotten
-Our administration silences voices at every turn. Recently in an instagram story, UNCA official shared a video of our new Chancellor Kimberly Van Noort. Many calls for saving the woods were made from concerned students and residents.
But the message was spoken. Let these words all ring true!
-Education not deforestation
-Get out of here Kimberly!
-As a student, tearing down the woods doesn't feel like an improvement
-The Millenial Campus Development plan is paving way for the destruction of some of Asheville's last remaining urban forest, which should definitely
Quick bio Of Dr. Kimberly Van Noort
Quick bio Of Dr. Kimberly Van Noort
Dr. Kimberly van Noort is the ninth chancellor of the University of North Carolina Asheville. She joined the UNC System in 2016 and previously served as Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer for the UNC System. She was officially installed as UNCA’s chancellor in April 2025 after being elected by the UNC Board of Governors in late 2023. UNC AshevilleUNC Asheville
Key events and student concerns (timeline with sources)
Key events and student concerns (timeline with sources)
1) Millennial Campus development / UNCA woods controversy
1) Millennial Campus development / UNCA woods controversy
UNCA has advanced plans to develop parts of its Millennial Campus, a project that includes large-scale athletic and development components. Community members and student groups have raised strong objections because the plan affects a significant tract of urban forest on the south side of campus. Public meetings have drawn dozens of residents and students pressing for alternatives and more transparency. BPRUNC Asheville
2) Handling of transparency and outreach around the woods
2) Handling of transparency and outreach around the woods
Residents and student organizers say there has been insufficient disclosure and inadequate community engagement before testing, tree work, or early site activity began. Reporting and local coverage show repeated calls for UNCA leadership to pause and publicly release environmental assessments. Chancellor van Noort has said the university understands sensitivity and will meet with concerned local groups, but community frustration remains. BPRFacebook
3) Dean of Students Megan Pugh and the undercover DEI video
3) Dean of Students Megan Pugh and the undercover DEI video
In June 2025 a conservative watchdog group released a secretly recorded video of UNCA Dean of Students Megan Pugh in which she discussed equity practices. The university announced that Pugh was “no longer employed” following a prompt review. Chancellor van Noort sent communications characterizing the recording as made by someone who misrepresented themselves and warned similar attempts might continue. Students and allies criticized the administration for how the matter was handled and the lack of clear answers. Local coverage reported both the administration’s statement and vocal student reaction. ABC11 Raleigh-DurhamAsheville WatchdogWUNC
4) Trans student housing policy changes and student impact
4) Trans student housing policy changes and student impact
Reports from multiple outlets and student testimonies indicate changes or stricter enforcement in UNCA housing procedures that resulted in some transgender students being told they must provide legal documentation to remain in rooms aligned with their gender identity, and in some cases to move. The university has said the housing policy is not targeted and pointed to an existing policy, while students say implementation and notification were problematic and disruptive. This has been a flashpoint for students demanding safeguards and administrative accountability. WLOSThe News & Observer
What the reporting shows about van Noort’s role
As chancellor, Kimberly van Noort is the outward leader and public face tasked with balancing system policy, campus operations, and community relations. Recent tensions center on decisions and actions taken by UNCA leadership (personnel outcomes, housing policy enforcement, and land development) that students perceive as going against student wishes or failing to sufficiently consult the campus community. Reporting indicates van Noort has publicly defended the university’s process in some cases while also promising to meet with stakeholders on specific issues. UNC AshevilleFacebook
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