Image source: https://www.unc.edu/posts/2023/12/15/former-state-budget-director-named-interim-chancellor/
The Coalition for Carolina is hopeful about Interim Chancellor Lee Roberts.
He seems to bring an open mind to the challenge. We bring an open mind to his appointment.
We’re encouraged that he has pledged to work “in a nonpartisan way.”
We’re heartened that when asked “who his boss is, within a complicated governance system,” he replied, “I don’t think there’s any ambiguity about the governance situation. The chancellor reports to the system president.”
We took note that – when asked how he would work with the UNC Board of Trustees, some of whom we believe have improperly interfered with university operations – Roberts said only that he wants their “input.”
Last week, before President Peter Hans appointed Roberts, we posted an online petition, “Stop the Political Meddling That Chased Away Chancellor Guskiewicz.”
Our petition urged President Hans to:
- “Appoint an interim Chancellor who will maintain stability, earn the trust of the campus community and resist improper overreach by trustees.”
- “Appoint a diverse and broadly representative search committee that will identify a great Chancellor who will lead Carolina for years to come.”
When he appointed Roberts, President Hans said, “He knows how to find common ground on challenging issues.” He added, “Lee Roberts is a patient leader, a generous listener, and someone raised with the values of public service.”
The news release said, “A full, nationwide search for the chancellor’s role will be launched in the coming months, with active participation from faculty, staff, students, alumni and the broader community.”
Like others in the University community, we have some concerns that Roberts does not have an extensive academic background.
We know, too, that Erskine Bowles didn’t have an academic background before serving as a superb President of the UNC System from 2005 to 2011. Tom Ross didn’t have an academic background before serving with distinction as president of Davidson College and then the UNC System. Bill McCoy was an excellent interim and acting chancellor in 1999 and 2000, despite having no academic background.
As for Roberts’ Duke University ties, we note that the President who took Duke to national prominence was a two-degree (undergrad and law) Carolina product, former Governor and Senator Terry Sanford.
Our greatest concern is the threat of continued political meddling and improper interference by some of the trustees – especially John Preyer, Marty Kotis and Dave Boliek.
Their actions led directly to Kevin Guskiewicz leaving Carolina for Michigan State.
Asked about the governance situation in an interview with Kyle Villemain of The Assembly, Roberts said he reports to the President and wants trustees’ “input.” You can read the interview here.
In another interview, with Korie Dean of The News & Observer, Roberts said he wants to “do no harm” to UNC as interim chancellor.
Adding that he plans to work “in a nonpartisan way,” he told Dean, “I think to be effective in this role, you need to be able to work with Republicans and Democrats and independents and everybody else. And I think that’s what I’ve done in my past roles.”
Those are encouraging words.
If his actions reflect his statements, he will have our support.
If we feel he falls short, we will let him – and you – know.