Highsmith Student Union spaces are free to UNC Asheville student organizations and campus groups using the space for events specifically designed for the campus community. If additional equipment must be rented from an off-campus vendor, the sponsoring group must cover those costs. The Union staff will make arrangements for equipment rentals, with input from the sponsoring group.
Organizations and departments using Highsmith space will be charged a rental fee for events not specifically designed for members of the UNC Asheville campus community. Off-campus groups and events organized by university employees acting beyond the scope of their employment will be charged rental fees. Off-campus groups will be charged for additional equipment (see below).
Groups holding events requiring security officers are responsible for paying for those services. The Union staff will determine the type, qualifications and number of security officers required. The Union staff will make all arrangements for security.
Reservation fees are assessed by the user’s scheduling group, based on the purpose of the event or meeting. Scheduling groups are defined as follows:
- Group A: Events implemented by a UNC Asheville department or registered student organization that is specifically designed for the campus community.
- Recognized student groups must be officially registered and in good standing with Highsmith.
- Departmental events must be officially recognized by the University as being a representative of UNC Asheville.
- Events must consist of a minimum of 75% UNC Asheville community, defined as current faculty or staff and actively-enrolled students.*
- Events must be conceptualized, planned, and managed by current UNC Asheville faculty/staff/students.
- Student groups & departments charging an admission or vendor fee will be charged the Group B rate.
- Group B: Educational events not specifically designed for the campus community, but planned, implemented, and paid for by a UNC Asheville organization or department.
- Events organized by University employees acting beyond the scope of their employment or on behalf of off-campus groups will be charged rental fees.
- Group C: Educational events run by a non-profit, campus-partner, school or government agency.
- Group D: Educational events or any event run by a for-profit company.
- Events unrelated to the educational mission of the University will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
- Events hosted by individuals are not allowed; only events hosted by organized groups, businesses, or corporations are allowed.
*The Associate Director of Highsmith Events & Operations or designee may determine a “Group A” designation for an event of less than 75% campus-affiliated attendees on a case-by-case basis based on appeals made in writing.
Rentable Spaces
All below spaces are no charge for Group A events.
Highsmith Spaces
Space Name – Room #
French Broad – HIG 125
Swannanoa – HIG 127
Nantahala – HIG 128
1927 – HIG 223
to ki ya sdi – HIG 238
Town Mountain – HIG 239
The Grotto – HIG 108
Alumni Hall – HIG 114
Blue Ridge Room* – HIG 202/203
Beaucatcher Mountain** – HIG 225
Mount Mitchell** – HIG 226
Mount Pisgah** – HIG 228
Lookout Mountain** – HIG 229
Tabling Space – various hallways
Group B
(1-4 hrs.) | (4+ hrs.)
$75 | $150
$25 | $50
$25 | $50
$50 | $100
$25 | $50
$15 | $30
$100 | $200
$100 | $200
$400 | $800
$50 | $100
$50 | $100
$50 | $100
$50 | $100
no charge
Group C
(1-4 hrs.) | (4+ hrs.)
$100 | $200
$50 | $100
$50 | $100
$75 | $150
$50 | $100
$35 | $70
$150 | $300
$150 | $300
$600 | $1,200
$75 | $150
$75 | $150
$75 | $150
$75 | $150
$150/day
Group D
(1-4 hrs.) | (4+ hrs.)
$200 | $400
$100 | $200
$100 | $200
$150 | $300
$100 | $200
$70 | $140
$300 | $600
$300 | $600
$1,200 | $2,400
$150 | $300
$150 | $300
$150 | $300
$150 | $300
$250/day
*Blue Ridge Room may be divided (Blue Ridge North & Blue Ridge South); rental fees for 1/2 of the room will be 1/2 of the price listed above (e.g. the Group B full-day rate for Blue Ridge South is $400). Any event in this space with A/V set-up will require an Event Technician. See Event Personnel & Staffing for rates.
**These rooms comprise the four-space Mountain Suites event space; rooms can be combined based on event size/needs.
Other Spaces
Space Name – Room #
Small Meeting Room – BRO 218/219
Large Meeting Room – BRO 217
Mullen-James Humanities Hall* – MJH 139
Lipinsky Auditorium* – LIP 125
Smart Classroom – various locations/styles
Special-Use Classroom or Computer Lab – various locations/styles
Group B
(1-4 hrs.) | (4+ hrs.)
$50 | $100
$75 | $150
$200 | $300
$300 | $450
$50 | $50
$75 | $75
Group C
(1-4 hrs.) | (4+ hrs.)
$75 | $150
$100 | $200
$400 | $500
$450 | $600
$75 | $75
$125 | $125
Group D
(1-4 hrs.) | (4+ hrs.)
$150 | $300
$200 | $400
$600 | $800
$700 | $900
$100 | $100
$150 | $150
*Requires an Event Technician for any event reservation. See Event Personnel & Staffing for rates.
Additional Resources
Resource
Commercial Table/Space*
Tablecloth or Skirting
Smart Room Equipment
Media Cart (for projection)
PA System – Small**
PA System – Medium**
PA System – Concert**
Microphone – Wired
Microphone – Wireless
Dance Floor
Staging (up to 8′ x 24′)
Early-open Fee***
Group A
$50
$5 per table
no charge
no charge
no charge
no charge
no charge
no charge
no charge
no charge
no charge
no charge
Group B
$75
$5 per table
$25
$25
$25
$50
$100
no charge
$10
$25
$25
$25
Group C
$100
$5 per table
$50
$50
$50
$75
$150
$10
$20
$50
$50
$50
Group D
$200
$5 per table
$75
$75
$75
$100
$200
$20
$30
$75
$75
$75
Other resources, such as registration or check-in tables, podiums, and stanchions are available at no cost. Please discuss your event needs with the Highsmith Events team to determine specific resource availability and to request custom set-up options.
*All commercial vendors must be pre-approved by Highsmith staff.
**Any event using this resource will require an Event Technician.
***If event is outside of normal operating hours, this fee will be assessed in addition to required staff costs (see below).
Event Personnel & Staffing
Personnel
Building Manager
Campus Security
Event Technician
Guest Services Desk Attendant
House/Sage Manager
Usher
Group A
$10 per hour
$35 per hour
$12 per hour
$8 per hour
$10 per hour
$8 per hour
Group B
$10 per hour
$35 per hour
$12 per hour
$8 per hour
$10 per hour
$8 per hour
Group C
$12.50 per hour
$35 per hour
$15 per hour
$10 per hour
$12 per hour
$10 per hour
Group D
$12.50 per hour
$35 per hour
$15 per hour
$10 per hour
$12 per hour
$10 per hour