Fealty, Power Grab, Politicization, and, ‘the Enemy’
More Politicization of Higher Education “Ben Sasse, the Nebraska senator, arrived in Florida in February 2023 to help cement a … makeover of one of the nation’s top five public universities. The University of Florida had lured the senator with an unusual $10 million, five-year contract, possibly the most lucrative ever for a public university president. Gov. […]
Vote to Support Carolina
As we head to the polls over the next few weeks, there are many important national issues, and several high profile local issues, that make the headlines each week and will influence our votes. A local issue that is not making a lot of headlines is how the outcome of the election will impact UNC […]
The Installation of Chancellor Lee H. Roberts
For your convenience, we are including access to a video of the entire Installation Ceremony for Chancellor Lee Roberts. Below is extracted text of the speech that he delivered after he was sworn in as the 13th Chancellor of the University of North Carolina. ______________________________________________________________________________ Welcome, everyone. President Hans. Chief Justice Newby. Chair Murphy. […]
Trustees Held Accountable for Bad Behavior
On Thursday, trustee John Preyer read the following statement at a regularly scheduled trustees meeting: “[In] May of 2024, a legal complaint was filed against the Board of Trustees of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, alleging violations of the North Carolina Open Meetings Act. The board disputes the lawsuit, but the lawsuit has […]
SCiLL Looks Like What We Feared: Origins May be Destiny
We vowed to keep an open mind about the new School of Civic Life and Leadership that was mandated at UNC by trustees and the legislature. But the school looks more and more like what we were told it wouldn’t be: a center for right-wing views and something removed or exempt from normal university hiring […]
We Hope Lee Roberts Can Right the Wrongs at UNC
Our Coalition hopes that Lee Roberts will be the right leader at the right time for the University of North Carolina. We are cautiously optimistic that our new chancellor will protect against interference by legislators and trustees that has eroded UNC’s academic excellence, integrity and independence. His selection had been widely expected since April, when […]
Trustees Tried to Bully Bubba, But Got Called for a Foul
Chair John Preyer and his allies on the UNC Board of Trustees have a history of bullying, harassing and intimidating long-time UNC leaders – even forcing some to leave Carolina. This time, the bullies got called out. They planned a secret, closed-door meeting where they would pummel and pillory Bubba Cunningham, who has been our […]
UNC-CH Drops Out of the Top 10 in Faculty Salaries
UNC is falling behind its peers, including Duke University, in faculty salaries. The chart below from the American Association of University Professors shows that: In 2010-11, the average faculty salary at UNC was $109,200, compared to $138,100 at Duke. This year, the gap has more exploded by more than double: $138,200 at UNC compared to […]
“Gutting” Diversity at UNC: Analysis and Commentary
Image source: https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/education/article288711410.html A headline in The News & Observer summed it up: “UNC System board approves policy gutting DEI efforts at NC public universities.” The Board of Governors – with little public discussion and without hearing from people who will be affected – voted May 23 to repeal diversity, equity and inclusion requirements that […]
Trustee Ralph Meekins Speaks Up Against Diversity Overreach
One voice of courage and conscience spoke up this month in the debate over diversity at UNC. Trustee Ralph Meekins, a Shelby attorney, said, “I am totally against” the Board of Trustee’s vote May 13 to remove from the UNC budget $2.3 million for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs and to redirect the money to […]