HIGHER EDUCATION

Some fear the UNC System is going corporate as administrative searches continue

By Maeve Sheehey

As the UNC System searches for a president and UNC searches for a chancellor, the prospect of a having a leader from the corporate world adds to the existing conversation among some faculty about the corporatization of higher education.  Corporatization at colleges refers to the infusion of corporate values into higher education, and many faculty members see it as an issue because of its effects on shared governance between faculty and administrators. Here is why some think corporate values in higher education is a positive thing, and some fear their influence. 

Here's how students feel about Tim Moore potentially serving as UNC-system president

By Allie Kelly

There are mixed responses throughout the UNC community about the possibility of N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore running for UNC-system president.

We looked into rumors that N.C. Speaker Tim Moore is going for UNC-System President

By Michael Taffe

After interim UNC-System President Bill Roper said he will not seek to serve in his role in a permanent capacity, the search for a new system president became even more uncertain. Though the names of candidates have not been released, one controversial public figure has been the topic of recent rumors: Tim Moore.  Moore, the speaker of the N.C. House of Representatives, has made his name by supporting fiscal prudence and controversial moves such as HB2. Some say Moore would be a poor leader for the UNC System given his history in the General Assembly, while others argue that he could be a viable candidate. 

DOE defends investigation amid interest group responses

By Abbey Thompson

Controversy surrounding the Duke-UNC Consortium for Middle East Studies continues as the ACLU, FIRE and other groups oppose the Department of Education investigation. Asked about the status of the funds, which were to be obligated by Sept. 30, Press Secretary Angela Morabito from the DOE did not mention funding but said the investigation is unbiased. 

ECU interim chancellor on administrative leave after reports of inappropriate conduct

By Hannah Lang

Dan Gerlach, interim Chancellor of East Carolina University, has been placed on administrative leave in light of reports that he acted inappropriately in a Greenville-area bar last week.  

Leadership shakeup continues with resignation in UNC System

By Preston Lennon

Two high-profile administrators resigned in the aftermath of Silent Sam's toppling, and Harry Smith, chairperson of the Board of Governors, will be the third major leader to vacate their post when his resignation becomes official in October.

Students and community protest DOE intervention into UNC Middle Eastern studies

By Rachel Crumpler

Students and community members gathered at UNC's South Building to protest the U.S. Department of Education’s request for the Duke-UNC Consortium for Middle East Studies to revise its curriculum. Students for Justice in Palestine, a student group on campus, organized the demonstration.

Bill Roper has 'no plans' to become permanent president and will serve until June 30

By Maeve Sheehey

Bill Roper will serve as UNC-system interim president through June 2020 to give the Presidential Search Committee time to find a permanent replacement, UNC-System Media Relations announced Wednesday. Roper has "no plans to seek" the position of a permanent system president.

UNC Board of Governors chairperson Harry Smith to resign

By Maeve Sheehey

Harry Smith will step down as chairperson of the Board of Governors effective Oct. 1, according to UNC-System Media Relations. 

Higher ed discussion grows as universities experiment with tuition payment

By Blake Weaver

Higher education institutions evaluate new income share agreements.

UNC System Presidential Search Committee meets to discuss terms of search

By A.J. OLeary

The UNC System President Search Committee met on Thursday to discuss the terms of their search, promising that students will be an important part of that process.

Universities grapple with providing affordable long and short-term mental health care

By Sofia Lesnewski

A dilemma that many low-income students and college counseling centers across the state are struggling with is how universities can make psychological services accessible to all students, whether they can afford it or not. 

Here's what you need to know about UNC's new re-admissions guidelines

By Maydha Devarajan

UNC will be launching Return to Carolina on Sept. 9 in an effort to address the needs of students who re-enroll in the school. The program will allow administrators from various departments across campus to provide information and guidance on next steps for the student’s individual case. 

Rise and fall: The 110 year history of UNC's Confederate monument, Silent Sam

By Preston Lennon

Conceived in 1908, completed in 1913, then torn down in 2018, Silent Sam was a lightning rod symbol on UNC's campus for over 100 years. Even now, as the one-year anniversary of its toppling approaches and the statue remains hidden in storage, Silent Sam continues to spark conversations on race and history. 

Meet interim Police Chief Thomas Younce: from the Air Force to UNC

By Preston Lennon

Members of the campus safety commission say there's a "crisis of trust" at UNC between law enforcement and the community. Thomas Younce has a wide background in many realms of policing, and experience as an Air Force captain.

UNC archeologist leads students to uncover pieces of ancient Judaic history

“There you are, I’ve been waiting.” UNC students and leaders are closing the books on an excavation series in Huqoq, Isreal, but not without immense success. 

Search for UNC's 12th Chancellor kicks off at the Carolina Inn

By Preston Lennon

After a Board of Governors member interfered with a chancellor search at Western Carolina University by independently contracting a firm to look into a finalist's background, the BOG reformed the guidelines of the process.  Multiple third-party search firms will be involved, as well as deep background checks. UNC will foot the bill for most of it. UNC system president Bill Roper came to a Board of Trustees meeting to brief the board on the revamped selection process, which will get underway with the selection of a diverse search committee.  The search committee will work with a firm contracted to find suitable candidates, but the firms' business model leads to an emphasis on confidentiality, keeping the public out of the process. A University of Florida professor explains how external firms have taken power away from students and community members by conducting interviews by airports to keep chancellor candidates' identities a secret. 

More than just Folt: meet the seven UNC administrators who left this past year

By Addison Skigen

The University has seen a large turnover in its administration over the past year. Here's a recap of who has left the University since the beginning of last school year.

High schoolers, stress less for AP tests: threes are the new standard for credit

By Preston Lennon

Although the new rule will remove ambiguity from the AP policies, each university’s board of trustees will have the option to grant exceptions to individual course requirements.