The Daily Tar Heel

Serving the students and the University community since 1893

Friday June 2nd

Administration


Mimi Chapman, chairperson of the UNC faculty, speaks in front of members of the UNC Board of Trustees on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. She emphasized the concerns of faculty regarding the development of the School of Civic Life and Leadership.

Trustee and faculty chairperson disagree on timeline of School of Civic Life and Leadership

The UNC Board of Trustees’ University Affairs Committee met on Tuesday afternoon at the Carolina Inn for an update from Mimi Chapman, the chairperson of the faculty.  Much of the discussion was about conflict between University faculty and the Board of Trustees, and the development of the School of Civil Life and Leadership, which the Board voted to accelerate earlier this year.

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Op-ed: UE Local 150 comes out in defense of academic freedom

"As workers of UNC, without whom the University cannot operate, we believe that the University should be a public good, producing research and an educated workforce and citizenry for the benefit of the State of North Carolina. We are certain that this role cannot be accomplished in the absence of academic freedom, or in the presence of political intervention in University affairs. We demand both governing boards take a step back, stick to their traditional roles, and let us do our work."

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UNC's Faculty Council met on Sept. 9, 2022 in Karr Hall to discuss free speech on campus.

Faculty Council discusses process to create new schools, IDEAs in Action curriculum

In its first meeting since the UNC Board of Trustees voted to accelerate development of the School of Civic Life and Leadership, the UNC Faculty Council focused primarily on how faculty felt about the process of the school’s creation so far.  The meeting included a presentation on how the School of Data Science and Society was developed and votes to pass two resolutions regarding the Board of Trustees' actions and the IDEAs in Action curriculum. 

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South Building is pictured on Oct. 10, 2022.

Emails reveal trustee's communication with Wall Street Journal prior to resolution approval

Board of Trustees Vice Chairperson John Preyer communicated with the Wall Street Journal editorial team about the School for Civic Life and Leadership as early as Jan. 24, according to emails obtained by The Daily Tar Heel. The resolution calling for the acceleration of the School was approved on Jan. 26. According to documents from Provost Chris Clemens, the School will attempt to combat the forces of polarization, isolation, and distrust that impede universities across the country.

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Some in the UNC community have questioned Provost Chris Clemens’ and Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz’s role in the Board of Trustees’ resolution on the University School of Civic Life and Leadership. Photo of Guskiewicz courtesy of Johnny Andrews.

Role of chancellor, provost in proposed UNC School of Civic Life and Leadership unclear

Conversations continue surrounding the newly proposed School of Civic Life and Leadership  The resolution to “accelerate” the development of the proposed School of Civic Life and Leadership was brought to Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz just 20 minutes before the Jan. 26 Board of Trustees meeting, a high-ranking University official told The Daily Tar Heel.  Chairperson of the Faculty, Mimi Chapman said there is a “missing link” in the chain of the provost’s involvement in the resolution. 

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South Building is pictured on Oct. 10, 2022.

‘I’m flabbergasted’: UNC leaders blindsided by trustees' decision on School of Civic Life and Leadership

The UNC Board of Trustees passed a resolution on Thursday to “accelerate” the creation of a new program — the School for Civic Life and Leadership.  Proposals for new schools, degrees and curriculums have historically come from faculty leaders and their vote is required for approval. UNC law professor Eric Muller said no member of the faculty knew of this “major development.” Provost Chris Clemens also said at a Monday Faculty Executive Committee meeting that he didn't know the resolution was coming from the Board — "I was surprised," he said.

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