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 […]
UNC Takes a Step Backward on Racial Diversity
UNC has taken a serious step back from its commitment to fairness and equal opportunity. Black student enrollment in this year’s freshman class dropped from 10.5% to 7.8%, Hispanic enrollment dropped from 10.8% to 10.1%, and Native American enrollment dropped from 1.6% to 1.1%. This is the first class to be admitted since the U.S. […]
Hark the Sound? Will Tar Heel Voices be Heard?
By Mimi Chapman Over the holiday weekend, I was interested to see this article from the Associated Press in which three faculty members express concern about what our commitment to diversity actually means in light of the Students for Fair Admissions decision and, perhaps even more importantly, the Board of Governors’ decision to do away […]
Chancellor Names Committee to Study the Campus Y
The future of the UNC Campus Y building – which was closed temporarily by the university administration during protests in May – is now in the hands of a committee appointed by Chancellor Lee Roberts. The Daily Tar Heel, in a story by Akash Bhowmik, reported this week: “The committee, comprised of 15 alumni, students and faculty, will […]
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 […]
Chancellor Search Focuses on Fundraising; UNC Campuses Get DEI Orders
During the summer lull, we are watching two important developments at UNC: the search for a new chancellor and the dismantling of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs. Chancellor Search The next chancellor will need to raise $1 billion a year, UNC Board of Trustees member Jennifer Lloyd said. “We have to be sober about that […]
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 […]