FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATION

1/16/2020 11:03pm

A plaque to honor William Alexander Graham, Confederate States Senator among many other titles, is pictured on display in Memorial Hall on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. After the UNC System's decision to give funding and perpetual rights to Silent Sam to the North Carolina Sons of Confederate Veterans, Carolina Performing Arts released a statement on how surprised they were about the decision. Though CPA's statement recognized the plaques as a reminder of Southern history, their future is unknown.

'Distorted and false version of history': CPA responds to Silent Sam settlement

By Gaby Iori

On Dec. 20, Carolina Performing Arts released a statement in response to the Sons of Confederate Veterans settlement. Chancellor Emeritus James Moeser said CPA is "appalled at the agreement entered into on our behalf by the UNC System Board of Governors."  However, CPA is also dealing with its own place in history. Its primary venue, Memorial Hall, prominently displays plaques in remembrance of founders of the University and memorializing Confederate alumni. Now, CPA recognizes its role in addressing these difficult issues through art.

11/26/2019 12:38am

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Waitlists and frustrations grow as UNC's computer science department tries to keep up

By Hannah McClellan and Cynthia Dong

Student participation in the computer science department at UNC has skyrocketed over the last decade, but issues have emerged from the department's inability to accommodate its newfound demand. While the number of declared or intended computer science majors has increased by more than tenfold since fall 2009, the department's faculty total has risen only 8.2 percent over the same time period.  While the University recently extended a hint of incoming relief, the expectation remains that class cuts, reduced enrollment availability and other restrictive measures will make life increasingly difficult for computer science majors.

11/19/2019 2:51am

The Old Well, a popular UNC monument, pictured on Wednesday, April 19, 2017. 

'Blistering': UNC faces fines after federal safety, crime reporting violations

By Charlie McGee

Nearly seven years after its investigation began, the U.S. Department of Education stated in a final program review report that UNC acted in violation of federal laws on campus safety and crime information throughout the department's review period while demonstrating a lack of administrative capability that “remains a matter of serious concern for the department.” Clery Act expert S. Daniel Carter told The Daily Tar Heel that the University is "certainly looking at six figures" in federal fines, and he called the department's description of UNC's administrative issues “one of the most blistering I’ve read in many years."

11/10/2019 6:28pm

Alexandra Smith, a senior media and journalism and Hispanic linguistics double major is photographed in her apartment on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. “I just wish people at UNC realized [mental health is] something that shouldn’t be stigmatized,” Smith said. “It’s something that should be normal and prioritized just as much as your physical health is.”

Students work to improve their mental health as UNC works to improve its resources

By Hannah McClellan

Several UNC students are speaking out about their mental health, and how they feel UNC should better accommodate students with mental illnesses. In April 2019, the Mental Health Task Force at UNC released a report showing that counseling services on campus are being used at an increasing rate. This trend also exists at colleges and universities nationwide. UNC is making a variety of changes, such as introducing a 24/7 CAPS hotline, to improve mental health care at UNC. Still, some students think the University should be doing more to provide this type of care. 

Editors Picks

9/18/2019 9:40pm

Unsustainable scholarship: How private companies control research in higher education

By Preston Lennon

Academic research is a staple of university libraries. Faculty depend on it for their own research, and students need it for their studies. But because of private publishing companies, who play a confusing and controlling role in the process of research creation, UNC Libraries is sounding alarms about the system's flaws.  The publishing companies make money by selling research journal access to university libraries in confidential deals. UNC Libraries said there's an imbalance in the process, because tax payers subsidize research authoring, then subsequently have to pay again for research access.  Rebels against the publishing giants advocate for open access — publishing online for free without paywalls — and say that continuing to buy into publishers' demands will impair scientific progress.

9/8/2019 10:35pm

Interim Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz fields a reporter's question during an interview in South Building on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. "I've heard students express concern over the distrust that they have with police... and I remain committed to ensuring their safety," Guskiewicz said.

Chancellor Search Committee kicks off efforts for permanent Folt replacement

By Hannah Lang

The Chancellor Search Committee met for the first time on Thursday to kick off the search for a new chancellor. The process is not only complex, but also confidential. Chairperson Richard Stevens said committee members should not even discuss candidates with their families. The timeline is projected to take four months, though the process could take longer. 

8/19/2019 6:19pm

Interim Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz fields a reporter's question during an interview in South Building on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. "I've heard students express concern over the distrust that they have with police... and I remain committed to ensuring their safety," Guskiewicz said.

Uncertainty surrounds UNC administration as chancellor search begins

By Maeve Sheehey

By LDOC of last year, a handful of UNC administrators left the University, including one of the most important figures on and off campus: the chancellor. Former Chancellor Carol Folt left in January, and since then, interim leaders have filled the positions left behind in the wake of the administrative fallout.  As the school year begins, the search for a permanent replacement for chancellor will also start, and students, faculty and graduates make up the group to recommend candidates to the Board of Trustees. From there, a series of approvals through the University president and Board of Governors will culminate in a new chancellor.  Kevin Guskiewicz, who has served as interim chancellor since Folt's resignation, said he is interested in being considered as a candidate for the next chancellor. Though the search process has not officially begun, Board of Trustees Chairperson Richard Stevens said he hopes Guskiewicz officially applies to be the permanent chancellor when the time comes.