University Day Brings About Reflection on Moeser's 2 Years

Chancellor James Moeser offered those words Oct. 12, 2000, during his installation remarks at his first University Day celebration.

In his speech that day, Moeser reiterated his desire to make UNC-Chapel Hill the best public university in the nation.

Two years now have passed since Moeser issued his challenge to UNC-CH, and University officials said Thursday -- leading up to this weekend's University Day celebration -- that while UNC-CH has made great strides, there have been numerous setbacks that have slowed the University's progress.

Faculty Council Chairwoman Sue Estroff said that in many ways the University has taken two steps forward and one step backward.

"We've seen an increase in productivity and research among faculty and an increase in the overall quality of students," Estroff said. "But at the same time, there has been a continuing decline in our ability to recruit top-flight faculty."

Estroff pointed to the combination of increasing enrollment and budget cuts as examples of black marks on the University's record in the last two years.

"These factors indicate that we are not leading but trailing," she said.

Estroff said the root of the problems can be found in the UNC-system Board of Governors and N.C. General Assembly.

"The BOG and the legislature don't have a feasible financial plan for the state universities," she said. "Having a financial emergency every year is ridiculous.

"We must anticipate growth and at least have sustainable rations to nourish the system. We simply can't have the lowest tuition and the highest-caliber faculty without outside support."

But Estroff also emphasized that it is too soon to judge whether UNC has become a leading public university.

"Two years for a goal like that is like a minute," she said. "We must consider the past 200 years."

But Dean Bresciani, interim vice chancellor for student affairs, said officials are working diligently to prevent such external factors from holding the University back.

"Honestly I see no internal roadblocks," Bresciani said. "And we're being very creative as far as outside influences and how to meet those challenges."

Bresciani also pointed out that the abstract nature of the chancellor's goal made it unattainable in reality.

"We'll never truly achieve the goal of being the best public university," Bresciani said. "The bar will continually be reset at higher levels in relationship to our peer universities."

Tommy Griffin, Employee Forum chairman, echoed Estroff's response, saying the only obstacle to the chancellor's goal is time.

"Communication between faculty members has greatly improved (in the past two years)," Griffin said. "Staff now has a lot more means of input."

Griffin, who also serves on UNC-CH's Tuition Task Force -- the group charged with developing a long-term tuition plan for the University -- said his main goal is making sure tuition prices remain reasonable.

"It's key that people aren't priced out because of tuition," he said. "We must make sure that all who want education can afford it."

Griffin also said graduating students who move on to bigger and better things offer proof of UNC-CH's success.

"Increased graduation rates and moving folks across the stage in May prove that the jobs are done right," he said. "It's going to take time, but if the students, faculty and staff work together, we'll get it done."

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.