If we’re looking for an outsider to UNC…

TO THE EDITOR:

With Chancellor Holden Thorp’s resignation, one must look forward and contemplate the qualities a successful replacement might posses.

Let’s consider the current chancellor. Thorp was promising for being young, a native son of North Carolina and a successful academic. We see where those got us.

Perhaps someone with age and wisdom would be better. Perhaps not a native — someone we can’t be too comfortable with to scrutinize.

Perhaps someone less academic and more of a proven organizational leader.

The University, in part, needs an anti-Thorp.

But more than anything it needs someone who wants to be a public leader, and practically speaking, will be available in 2013.

To that end, I suggest our leaders look to Mitt Romney.

Romney is old.

Romney is not from North Carolina.

Romney wants public office and will be likely unemployed next year.

Romney saved the Olympics. He has a better shot than anyone to save UNC.

Put your politics aside — this is not a political office we’re talking about.

If you’re looking for a man in America who has proven business acumen and a thirst for efficiency, Romney is your man. And he is exactly what UNC needs at this critical moment.

Romney is likely not the right man for America. But he’s the right man for UNC. Circumstance created an auspicious occasion to engage him.

My modest proposal is that we do so.

Cameron Parker ’12
Economics
Public Policy
San Francisco