Faculty - The Daily Tar Heel

Affordable housing in Chapel Hill pictured on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022.

UNC faculty face housing shortage with rising prices, decreasing availability

By Adele Morris | Jan. 27

As housing prices continue to rise in Chapel Hill, UNC faculty and staff share their difficulties finding affordable housing throughout the Triangle area. The ever-climbing prices have triggered unprecedented financial stress. One professor believes the housing situation in Carrboro is on par with living in the most expensive places in the world. It's a shame when most of the faculty and staff who work in Chapel Hill can't live in Chapel Hill,” Scott Geier, teaching assistant professor of digital storytelling and journalism, said. “Because that affects the diversity and the dynamic of the campus.”

The Old Well is pictured on Jan. 30, 2023.

Faculty discusses free speech and School of Civic Life in January meeting

By Emi Maerz | 10:26pm

In the Jan. 30 meeting of the Faculty Executive Committee, members discussed matters regarding the new School of Civic Life, language in Board of Governor's proposals and the University’s formation of a committee for academic freedom and free expression.

The Sonja Haynes Stone Center will be the main voting location on UNC's campus on election day. Pictured on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022.

Community reflects on Joseph Jordan's time as director of Sonja Haynes Stone Center

By Stella Griffin | 10:45am

Joseph Jordan will step down as the director of UNC's Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture and History. His friends and colleagues were there to celebrate his successes over the years while reflecting on his leadership.

Wilson Library overlooks UNC's campus on Sept. 20, 2022.

María Estorino appointed to be University Librarian

By Liv Reilly | Jan. 26

María Estorino has been appointed as the new vice provost for University Libraries and University Librarian, beginning Jan. 30. She succeeds Elaine Westbrooks, who announced she would be leaving the position, last spring.

The Old Well, complimented by late summer flora, stands tall on August 7, 2022.

UNC Faculty Council discusses COVID, University Approved Absence policies

By Collin Tadlock | Jan. 23

In the first 2023 meeting of the UNC Faculty Council, updates on the pandemic were shared along with discussions of the approved UNC absence policy and the presentation of the 2022 Thomas Jefferson Award.

Rachel Goode, Ph.D., poses for a portrait outside of the UNC-Ch School of Social Work on Friday, Jan. 20, 2023.

‘I know what it's like’: Rachel Goode researches eating disorders among Black women

By Brianna Atkinson | Jan. 22

Rachel Goode won the Society for Social Work and Research's 2023 Deborah K. Padgett Early Career Achievement Award this month. Her unique research is centered around eating disorders like binge and emotional eating, treatments for obesity and strategies for developing a healthy relationship with food. “Because people think thin affluent white women, they’re not looking at Black women who may be in a larger body,” Goode said. “They’re assuming that ‘Oh, because they’re in a larger body, they couldn’t have an eating disorder.’”

Tracy Harter, Vinyasa Burnette and Trey Anthony call out for better pay for UNC Housekeepers outside of the Campus Y on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023.

'All we want is what's fair:' Campus workers publicly read updated demands

By Emily Gajda | Jan. 18

A group of about 20 campus and graduate workers publicly read the list for the first time while the UNC System Board of Governors met at the UNC System Office. The list of updated demands expands upon those brought to University administration in October.

Alan Kinlaw, chair of the FWC, poses for a portrait on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.

UNC faculty voice exhaustion concerns, pandemic impacts

By Adele Morris | Jan. 12

Numerous department leaders across the University are voicing concerns over faculty exhaustion and wellbeing. These conversations come in the midst of navigating the post-pandemic world with continued Zoom classes and new expectations. “There's a lot of moving targets and unspoken expectations a lot of times that are baked into the job,” Alan Kinlaw, chairperson of the Faculty Welfare Committee, said.

Michelle LaRoche, Peter Sherman, Marisa Porto and Shelvia Dancy each join the faculty of the Hussman School of Journalism and Media this semester.

'Exceptionally distinguished scholars': Meet four incoming Hussman professors

By Ira Wilder | Jan. 11

Four newcomers — Shelvia Dancy, Michelle LaRoche, Marisa Porto and Peter Sherman — bring a heap of interdisciplinary experience and enhance ongoing commitments to diversity within the Hussman School of Journalism and Media. The Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC) demoted the School to provisional accreditation in April 2022, citing the school to be out of compliance with its standards for diversity and inclusiveness, specifically in faculty retention and recruitment.

UNC Housekeepers gathered outside of the Carolina Inn on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022.

Housekeepers ask for higher pay, backed by students

By Aisha Baiocchi | Nov. 16

Housekeepers employed by the University have been advocating for higher wages since early in the semester. Here's an update on their progress so far.

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

UNC Faculty Council hears research developments, supports stipend increases

By Celia Funderburk | Nov. 6

The UNC Faculty Council met Friday to discuss a new health research center, graduate student stipends, changes between online learning systems and affirmative action.

South Building is pictured on Oct. 10, 2022.

Employee Forum gives updates on salary caps, campus free speech

By Hannah Rosenberger | Nov. 3

A recent University memo asked employees not to speak directly to media and to refer all media inquiries to the relevant University offices. Provost Chris Clemens said at the Employee Forum meeting on Wednesday that this memo was not intended to prevent staff from speaking on campus issues.

The George Watts Hill Alumni Center is home to the General Alumni Association on UNC's campus on Tuesday, Oct. 25.

Dibbert announces retirement, reflects on 40 years leading the GAA

By Natalie Varma | Oct. 25

Doug Dibbert has been president of the General Alumni Association since 1982. He announced his retirement in a Board of Directors meeting earlier this month and reflects on his time in the position.

UNC's provost, Chris Clemmons, speaks at the beginning of Friday's Faculty Council meeting on Sept. 9, 2022 in Karr Hall.

'Doing more for less,' FEC calls for more University support of faculty

By Ira Wilder | Oct. 19

The UNC Faculty Executive Committee spoke on the importance of faculty mental health and gave updates on the UNC System's return-on-investment study. The committee also discussed authority for University hiring approvals at their Monday meeting.

Professors Dr. Viji Sathy and Dr. Kelly Hogan showcase their new book on inclusive teaching outside of the Old Well on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2022.

In new book, UNC professors aim to increase inclusion and equity in college education

By Keerthana Gotur | Oct. 9

Two UNC professors, Viji Sathy and Kelly Hogan, are the authors of "Inclusive Teaching: Strategies for Promoting Equity in the College Classroom." The recently published book discusses strategies that instructors can use to promote inclusivity and cater to all students.

Kerry McIntyre and Rohit Sharma, students of the MBA class of 2023, engage in conversation in the lobby of McColl Building on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022. Hanging behind them are the portraits of Hugh L. McColl, Jr., Mary Lily Kenan, and Henry Flagler, the namesakes of  McColl Building and Kenan-Flagler Business School.

Allegations, administration, accountability: tensions at Kenan-Flagler Business School

By Preston Fore and Tania Tobaccowala | Oct. 5

This fall, Kenan-Flagler Business School has seen a discrimination lawsuit filed by a former doctoral student, as well as the co-leads of the school’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative leaving their positions. Douglas Shackelford, who had been serving as dean of the school since 2014, unexpectedly retired in September. In terms of diversity, Kenan-Flagler is 61st out of 81 ranked U.S. business schools, according to Bloomberg's 2022-2023 Diversity Index.

UNC Geography Professor Diego Riveros-Iregui poses for a portrait on Sept. 12, 2022. Riveros-Iregui will work with N.C. teachers to facilitate global education in K-12 schools.

UNC World View's Teacher-Student Initiative connecting educators to the world

By Reagan Allen | Sep. 22

The UNC World View program has worked for over 20 years to connect K-12 and community college educators with the surrounding world to foster not only knowledge of global topics, but also collaborative professional development.

UNC Voices of Praise Gospel Choir performs "Everybody Clap Your Hands" at the Black Folk Could Fly event in Hill Hall on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022.

UNC professor Randall Kenan remembered in launch of "Black Folk Could Fly" story collection

By Zoe Frederick | Sep. 12

On Sunday, Sept. 11, UNC professor Randall Kenan’s friends and former colleagues held a book launch for a compilation of Kenan’s work from before he passed, titled “Black Folk Could Fly.” The book contains 21 works of non-fiction pieces, some of his most personal writings and was made available for sale last month.

UNC Faculty Council passes free speech resolution at monthly meeting

By Brooke Elliott | Sep. 12

In the first meeting of the UNC Faculty Council this school year, faculty members voted on a resolution regarding the faculty's free speech under the First Amendment, and to what lengths they could expect to be supported by the University.

Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and MacArthur Fellow Nikole Hannah-Jones, poses for a portrait. Photo courtesy of John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

UNC and Nikole Hannah-Jones reach settlement over last year's tenure controversy

By Madi Kirkman | Jul. 18

On Friday, the University reached an agreement with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones to resolve legal matters related to her application for a tenured position in the Hussman School of Journalism and Media. The settlement required three key provisions for UNC: an inclusive search process, mental health counseling and reserved funds in the provost's office, according to a statement by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.