University Ward and the LDS Institute are like a spiritual mother and father to Mormon youth attending UNC and other local institutions of higher learning. Non-students have also been welcome, as well as non-Mormons. The Ward has a small membership, and members come and go from semester to semester. The Institute offers religious classes centering on the Mormon religion. At one time, several classes were offered at various times during the day. Presently (Spring 2016), only five classes are offered (one on the family, one on devotions/lectures, and three on "Foundations of the Restoration" - four meet once a week, the fifth twice a week - two around noon, one in the later afternoon, and two late evening. The classes are interesting albeit monotonic, which is to be expected since they all center on a particular specialized worldview.
There is private parking for students enrolled in Institute classes. A security system has been put in place due to non-students violating the private parking policy. The building is attractive and beautifully maintained. The classrooms are comfortable and clean. The teaching faculty is down to one person. There doesn't seem to be as much extracurricular activity going on, as there was when several classes were offered throughout the day. Whether the shrinking of classes and faculty is due to student attrition, or perhaps some students gravitated to on-line alternatives for the classes, I do not know. It would be nice if a wider range of subjects were offered, and if more students took advantage of what is being offered.
The Institute Director is affable, approachable, knowledgeable. The front receptionist answered all my questions about the courses and how to register, and the Director gave me a good background on the Institute, its mission, the curriculum and what to expect in and from the classes. read more