Designated a doctoral/research intensive university, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte), is a public university that serves as an excellent resource for the residents of Charlotte and the south-central portion of the state. It is regarded as the fourth largest of the 16 institutions within the University of North Carolina system. UNC Charlotte was opened in September 1946 as the Charlotte Center, to serve the educational needs of returning World War II veterans. After three years, the center was taken over by the city school district and became Charlotte College, a two-year institution. With the support of several benefactors, new facilities were added to the campus. In 1961, the college moved to its present campus, 10 miles from downtown Charlotte. It became a four-year, state-supported college in 1964. In 1965, the college changed its name to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, when it became a part of the University of North Carolina system. Covering 1,000 acres, the campus features 74 buildings. There are seven colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences and six professional colleges-Architecture, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Information Technology, and Health and Human Services. The university is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. A wide range of graduate programs at the master's and doctoral levels are offered through the Graduate School. A separate division, the department of Dance and Theater, is provided to prepare students for careers in the performing arts. With seminars, intensive reading, writing, and discussion, the Honors College at the campus offers many of the personal and intellectual advantages of a small liberal-arts college. The General Education Program, Summer Programs, and International Programs are offered as well. The Brocker Health Center, Counseling Center, University Career Center, and Writing Resources Center are some of the facilities provided at the campus. Residence halls, apartments, and suites also are offered. In addition, recreational facilities are provided at the campus. Intramural sports and special events also are promoted at the campus. Nicknamed as "49ers," the athletic team of UNC Charlotte is a member of the NCAA's Division I, and once reached the men's basketball Final Four. Architectural resources, curriculum and instructional materials, government documents, rare books, manuscripts, university archives, and local documents are housed in the J. Murrey Atkins Library.