The New York Times published a story earlier this week titled “How a Civics School With a Conservative Bent Divided Its Supporters.”
While the story touches on the outrageous revelation that UNC will not publicly release the report from the $1.2 million investigation into SCiLL’s leadership, it highlights many additional troubling details. These include:
- SCiLL is applying “affirmative action for conservatives,” as described by one of the school’s own faculty members.
- SCiLL’s hiring practices are questionable, as are some of its course offerings.
- SCiLL is paying $3,000 per year to students to declare a minor, which is described as bribery in the piece.
- In addition to the school handing out cash, it has also been the recipient of funds typically denied to other parts of the University during times of austerity such as these. According to the NYT, “The School of Civic Life and Leadership has seen a windfall, however, with funding from the state, private donations, an Education Department grant of nearly $1 million, and more than $10 million from the National Endowment for the Humanities to fund “a world-class civics faculty.”
This story raises many additional questions and concerns about SCiLL – some of which are surely found in the 400-page report being shielded from the public. We will continuing digging into the discoverable facts here and pushing for the public release of the report. We encourage others in the media and with positions of influence to do the same. In the meantime, please follow this gift link to read the entire New York Times story.