When Robert B. House became the University's first chancellor in 1945 he paved the way for a group of people who would help shape UNC into a renowned institution for higher education.
That group of chancellors including House consisted of nine white males.
Since its formation the chancellor search committee has made it a goal to stay open-minded about candidates said Nelson Schwab chairman of the committee.
But before the current chancellor search committee began to tackle diversity in regard to candidates for the chancellorship it tried to achieve diversity within itself" Schwab said.
""We just tried to find people in the various areas of the University who had good reputations" and we asked different people for suggestions he said. There are not quotas or rules" but it's more common sense that you would want differing opinions and backgrounds included.""
Of the 21 members who make up the committee that was chosen in September" three minorities are represented. When combined women blacks and Asians make up 33 percent of the committee. There are six women" three blacks and one Asian on the committee.
""We're looking for the best people we can find" regardless of gender or race or background Schwab said.
But like the search committee we also look for people representing a wide range of backgrounds and points of view and so we're careful and thoughtful to make sure we have both gender" race and ethnic backgrounds in the pool.""
Of the 10 institutions the Board of Trustees lists as UNC's peers" only the University of Michigan at Ann Harbor has a minority leader" Mary Sue Coleman.
Members of campus groups and organizations at UNC said they believe considering minority candidates is vital.
""We wanted to make sure that our organization went on record that the search committee make extra effort to consider woman and minority candidates"" said Rhonda Gibson, journalism professor and president of the Association for Women Faculty and Professionals.
But Shanika Paylor, executive assistant of the Black Student Movement, said she is concerned that the largest group on campus is the one getting the least representation in the search - students.
I wouldn't say the committee has a poor idea of what BSM has in mind but that it may not have a good idea of what students have in mind"" she said. I think there should be more than a document to represent what the student body is looking for.""
Beneath the suggestions"" another factor continues to creep into the minds of students and faculty - the closed nature of the search. Few will know who the chancellor is before the person takes the position.
""I completely disagree with the fact that the search is closed" Gibson said. But I understand why they have chosen to do this" and I think the reason they have chosen to do it is in the best interests of the University.""
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
ATTEND THE MEETINGTime: 1 p.m. todayLocation: Morehead Building Info: www.unc.edu/chan/search
