UNC-system Board of Governors strategic plan moves forward

In early 2013, the UNC-system Board of Governors will set the course of the system for the next five years.

The board created two committees this year to develop a data-based strategic plan to guide the system’s 17 campuses from 2013 to 2018.

The goals include strengthening the academic quality of universities, increasing North Carolina’s global competitiveness and keeping tuition rates at system schools affordable.

The first group, a special advisory committee led by system President Thomas Ross, is composed of system administrators and statewide business and political leaders. Its next meeting is Dec. 12.

The second, the Strategic Directions Committee — a group of General Administration staff and system chancellors, and led by board member Fred Eshelman — met Tuesday.

Eshelman said the group will present its final, data-based plan by early February.

“This will involve lots of holidays,” he told members.

Eshelman has stressed throughout the year that he wants to throw out all preconceived notions as the group looks to increase efficiency.

“If we put all other motions aside, and said, ‘Chancellor, what do you need to move the daggum ball at your campus?’ — what would you need?”

The group also discussed better preparing students for careers upon graduation.

The unemployment rate for young college graduates is 14.5 percent — compared to 4.2 percent for all graduates.

Leslie Boney, system vice president for international, community and economic engagement, said he has been hosting regional sessions with business leaders to gauge what employers look for when hiring college graduates.

The eighth and final session will be held today, and about 70 to 80 firms participated overall, he said.

Employers are mainly concerned with internship experience, Boney said.

Randy Woodson, chancellor of N.C. State University, said he wanted more administrative oversight at colleges to manage internships.

And board members are exploring ways to work with the state’s business and political leaders to give university students across the state more marketable skills.

Ross said in September that the main goal for the strategic plan is to develop degree attainment targets that are more responsive to employers’ needs.

“Having these goals is sending a message to businesses that, ‘We’re going to be ready for you,’” Ross said.

But students have expressed concern about the lack of student involvement in the strategic plan process.

Cameron Carswell, the UNC-system Association of Student Governments president, is the sole student member on the special advisory committee.

Ross charged the association with collecting student opinion and presenting it to the committee.

Members of UNC Student Power, a coalition of student activist groups, have also criticized the presence of corporate interests on the advisory committee. The group demanded the removal of Art Pope, a conservative political figure and CEO of the retail stores conglomerate Variety Wholesalers, Inc.

But Pope said in September that he had an open mind.

“I don’t have any particular goals other than improving the University and meeting the needs of the state of North Carolina,” he said.

Board chairman Peter Hans said in August that the strategic plan will be proactive in its implementation, despite a $414 million funding cut from the N.C. General Assembly last year.

“I’m not interested in just playing defense in the next two years,” he said. “We won’t make everyone happy, and Lord knows we’re not perfect, but we will lead.”

Contact the desk editor at state@dailytarheel.com.