Happy Independence Day. To many, this day is about fireworks, cold beers and enjoying some time away from the office.
If you’re looking for something to celebrate about the United States of America today, look no further than our world-class institutions of higher education, and, of course, the oldest public institution and our most cherished, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Universities were designed to be atmospheres of independence at their core – where free thought and innovation could flourish. And, over our nation’s history, that worthy goal was realized at institutions around the country. With it came discovery and innovation in science that cured disease and allowed us to live happier, healthier lives. Universities have also been catalysts for social justice, many times giving a voice to the oppressed and moving our nation forward to better protect the rights and liberties of every individual.
Of course, in a historical sense, this holiday commemorates a day of overcoming the oppression of controlling powers.
And if history repeats itself, we saw it last week at our neighbor the University of Virginia – brainchild of Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence.
What happened to University of Virginia President Jim Ryan last week was a travesty – and a warning of what’s at stake when it comes to the independent thought and governance of American universities.
We who love Carolina are no strangers to this kind of fraught political battle between self-serving governing bodies, unrelenting political powers and the university administrators who are trying their best to do right by the university and its mission.
As we alluded to in our statement last week, we saw a similar showdown on our own campus just a few short years ago.
Like the summer heat, life on Carolina’s campus in 2021 had been brutal. The pandemic was on-going. We’d been through a shocking struggle over Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Nikole Hannah-Jones’s tenure bid. Students, faculty, staff and administrators all stood up and together on her behalf while the chancellor worked behind the scenes to get her a vote from our Board of Trustees.
The struggles, efforts and leadership of the chancellor would not go unpunished. The Board of Trustees mulled a no-confidence vote. It was thwarted in the short term. But the chancellor ultimately left.
When looking at what President Ryan faced more recently at UVA, the stakes were undoubtedly higher. UVA was faced with immediately losing millions in research dollars. Ryan was the ransom. One question is will his sacrifice be enough? Columbia and Harvard’s experiences suggest it won’t. Once a place or person is in the crosshairs of this administration, there is no safe harbor.
For today’s oppressive political forces, it is all about undercutting the values and free thought of universities in an attempt to gain control and force a rigid ideology on the very institutions that are meant to push the boundaries to move society forward.
The independence of American institutions of higher education is under attack. There are individuals in power who want to gut higher education and destroy everything we’ve built in our nation’s short but consequential history.
Last week’s fallout at UVA reminded us it’s no time to be cavalier when it comes to defending higher education. At the Coalition for Carolina, we’ve been fighting these battles for years, and they’ve only become more frequent and momentous.
Enjoy the beers and the time away today. But, please, also use this time with friends and loved ones to talk to them about what is happening to our universities and on campus at Carolina. These are dangerous times our nation’s founders would have recognized all too well.