UNC participates in the e-NC initiative, whose goal is to provide Internet access for all North Carolina residents. Participation in e-NC helps fulfill UNC's public service mandate to enrich the quality of life for North Carolina citizens. Among e-NC's many goals are to increase ownership of computers, related Web services and Internet subscriptions; provide two model Telework Centers by January 2002; and develop Internet applications for government agencies that will make receiving services easier and faster.

The e-NC initiative is led by the Rural Internet Access Authority (RIAA). UNC participates at all levels of the organization, and Dr. James Leutze, chancellor at UNCW, serves as RIAA chair. Alfred Mays, director of special projects in the UNC Division of Information Resources, serves on the RIAA outreach subcommittee.