Community members give input in chancellor search process

UNC's chancellorship, one of the most prominent positions at the University, remains held by an interim. On Tuesday and Wednesday, campus community members were given a chance to provide their input. 

On Wednesday evening, students, faculty and community members gathered in Wilson Library for the second and final Chancellor's Search Committee public forum, where attendees could share their thoughts on qualities they wish to see in UNC's 12th chancellor. 

Read more: Chancellor Search Committee kicks off efforts for permanent Folt replacement

A characteristic that was consistently expressed as important by those present was a student-focused leader: one who prioritizes student interests and maintains regular communication with the campus population. 

“I therefore ask you to help choose a chancellor that is accessible," Lily Herbert, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Geography, said. "(One) who frequently creates well publicized opportunities for listening to students, one who is always willing to have difficult conversations about student safety and bravely advocate for us while navigating the complex politics of being an administrator at UNC."

Tim Osborn, a third-year physics graduate student, said he also thinks candidates should be motivated to act for students, rather than be focused on outside interests.

“If there is a conflict between the Board of Governors and the wellbeing of students at UNC-Chapel Hill, we need a candidate who is willing to take that conversation and back the students,” Osborn said. “It’s been far too often where we've been stuck in this middle ground trying to balance two completely opposing ideologies.” 

Many attendees also said they hope UNC’s future chancellor will have familiarity with the state and experience within higher education and academia. 

“I think they should be familiar with our campus," athletics director Bubba Cunningham said. "We have had a lot of change in the last few years, so I think someone who is familiar with the state, the campus, faculty, the students, would be very beneficial to the community."

Attendees also mentioned qualities like being strategic, responsive and charismatic.

“I think it’s also important to remember as you are thinking about qualities, and that aspect of it, that you recognize that just because someone makes a good chancellor, doesn't mean they will make a good chancellor here,"  Ryan Collins, a second-year law student, said. "So, constantly framing that in the context of not only are they qualified, but are they qualified in the context of this university and where we are in this moment."

The Chancellor's Search Committee plans on using the input expressed by the public — along with the characteristics given by interim UNC-system President Bill Roper and the views of the committee members — to guide them as as they create a leadership statement that will be used to recruit candidates during their national search. 

The 20-member search committee is comprised of faculty, staff, alumni, students and members of the Board of Trustees. The group is tasked with recommending at least two candidates to the Board of Trustees before an approved candidate is passed onto interim UNC-system President Bill Roper and the Board of Governors.

Richard Stevens serves as the chairperson of the Search Committee and chairperson of the Board of Trustees.

Although the committee is in the early stages of the search process, Stevens said its goal is to appoint a new chancellor by the end of the calendar year. 

The position is currently being filled by interim Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz, who assumed the role on Feb. 6 after former Chancellor Carol Folt resigned.

“We are trying to do this in a very expeditious manner, but in a very thorough manner,” Stevens said. 

university@dailytarheel.com