Higher Education - The Daily Tar Heel

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

By Emily Gajda | Mar. 24

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.

Peyton Battle, a junior at Chapel Hill High School, practices calculus at her desk on Sunday, March 19, 2023.

New class could help increase representation of students of color in higher level courses

By Maddie Policastro | Mar. 21

As of the 2022 to 2023 school year, AP African American Studies has started piloting in 60 schools across the country and will soon expand to approximately 200 schools, including Chapel Hill High School, in the coming school year.

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

Mar. 19

"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."

Letter: Housekeepers deserve a living wage and free parking

Mar. 6

"Nonwhite people and immigrants are highly overrepresented in the housekeeping profession which can add layers of racism and xenophobia to exploitation from employers who treat them more like replaceable tools and less like human beings worthy of a fair wage, a safe working environment and acceptable living conditions."

Cherry blossoms bloom on the UNC-CH Campus off of Polk Place on Feb. 14, 2023.

Editorial: School of Civic Life is just another example of ideological combativeness

By Editorial Board | Feb. 28

"The new school will supposedly promote democracy and work to protect free speech at UNC. It’s astonishingly clear that the school is merely a Trojan horse for a blatantly conservative political agenda, a trend in political discourse that precedes this proposal."

NCSU Professor Bonnie Fusarelli gives her acceptance speech after receiving the Holshouser Award during the UNC Board of Governors meeting at the UNC System Office on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023.

UNC Board of Governors talk mental health grant, increased funding

By Defne Önal | Feb. 26

The UNC Board of Governors recognized an honoree of a faculty service award and discussed enrollment challenges at its Thursday board meeting. In his report, UNC System President Peter Hans spoke about the mental health crisis and expanding initiatives to combat it. The BOG also discussed no tuition increases for resident undergraduate students.

The UNC Board of Governors watches NCSU Professor Bonnie Fusarelli give her acceptance speech after receiving the Holshouser Award during the UNC Board of Governors meeting at the UNC System Office on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023.

$1,780 increase in out-of-state tuition approved by Board of Governors committee

By Hannah Rosenberger | Feb. 23

The UNC Board of Governors is requesting funds from the N.C. General Assembly in its proposed 2023-2025 system operating budget to adjust faculty and staff salaries during this inflationary period. BOG committees approved the proposed budget, capital projects and increases in student fees and tuition during the Wednesday meeting.

UNC students support Housekeepers movement for $20/hour at a protest outside of the South Building on Feb. 22, 2023.

UNC housekeepers rally on Wednesday, offered bonus contract with stipulations

By Aisha Baiocchi | Feb. 22

At a Wednesday rally in front of the South Building, UNC housekeepers announced they have been offered a contract from the University. They said the contract did not address their two key demands: higher wages and free parking. Instead, housekeepers said they were offered a bonus — with strings attached.

UNC-CH sophomores Sydney Martin and Megan O'Connor wear masks and hang out in the quad in front of Wilson Library on Feb. 6, 2023.

Column: In defense of the humanities

By Edward Lezada | Feb. 8

"But the humanities don't need to justify themselves with business and science. These enhance their resume but they have inherent virtues. The humanities study people. We are endowed with conscious complexity. We love, feel anger and can convey emotions through the power of art and music. We can create sociopolitical systems, wage wars and more. These are all at the core of our existence."

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

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

By Emi Maerz | Jan. 31

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 Duke University Chapel on Duke’s West Campus, as photographed in 2017, serves as a symbol of the university.

Column: I'm proud of my public school

By Noelle Harff | Jan. 30

"I’m proud to say that I went public. The oddities that exist in the public school system are some of my favorite stories to tell. Did you have a classmate who sold ears of corn for extra cash at your private prep school? Did you have a friend who dressed up as a horse and galloped the halls? I didn’t think so — but my pals at public schools share similar stories. I think that's invaluable."

The Old Well and the South Building are pictured on campus on Nov. 17, 2021.

UNC System Board of Governors meets to discuss education training and opportunities

By Defne Önal | Jan. 22

At the UNC System Board of Governors meeting this Wednesday, a resolution was passed regarding teacher preparation programs and North Carolina students' literacy rates. The meeting also heard a presentation on educator preparation programs and discussed progress on Project Kitty Hawk.

The Old Well is pictured on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022.

Court confirms dismissal of spring 2020 unused student fee lawsuit

By Eilah Wood | Jan. 20

A unanimous N.C. Court of Appeals panel ruled Tuesday that a trial court had made the correct ruling in dismissing Dieckhaus v. UNC Board of Governors. The case refers to unused student fees in the spring 2020 semester.

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

Tuition increases discussed by BOG Committee on Budget and Finance

By Hannah Rosenberger | Jan. 19

Several UNC professional school programs will undergo significant tuition increases for the 2023-2024 academic year, according to the proposals presented to the UNC Board of Governors Committee on Budget and Finance Wednesday morning.

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.

UNC students hold placards in support of the UNC Houseekepers March & Rally at the Old Well on Oct. 28, 2022.

Workers Union to submit letter of demands to BOG regarding state employee wages

By Liv Reilly | Jan. 18

After months of activism on UNC’s campus surrounding increased wages and free parking for University housekeepers, a list of demands are being brought to the UNC System Board of Governors on behalf of campus and graduate workers.

An empty classroom in Carolina Hall prepares for the return of in-person classes on Monday, Feb. 8, 2022.

Editorial: It's time to weed out weed-out classes

By Editorial Board | Jan. 11

"Weed-out classes are introductory-level courses, typically in STEM, defined by an intensity and rigor that only allows its most high-performing students to progress. They are the infamous GPA tankers, unskippable pre-requisites and barriers to entry for a wide range of higher-level courses."

DTH Photo Illustration depicting a person handing over 15 file folders.

Breaking down the lawsuits involving UNC in 2022

By Ira Wilder | Nov. 30

The University and its affiliated bodies faced several major lawsuits over the course of this year. There have been no settlements or final rulings in cases involving affirmative action, alleged discrimination in the Kenan-Flagler Business School and unused fees during the pandemic, but a settlement was reached between the University and Nikole Hannah-Jones.

DTH Photo Illustration. The Kenan-Flagler Business School has raised its fees.

Editorial: A deep dive into the proposed Kenan-Flagler fee increase

By Editorial Board | Nov. 30

"But the fee increase might produce more positive outcomes than anticipated, even down to helping diversify the undergraduate business program student body. While the cost increase will put some students in difficult financial positions and possibly deter concerned applicants, it could also open up the opportunity for more low-income candidates to attend the school."

Gov. Roy Cooper is pictured speaking in Chapel Hill on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019.

Gov. Cooper issues executive order establishing commission for public universities

By Avery Baker | Nov. 17

Gov. Roy Cooper's Nov. 1 executive order established the Commission on the Governance of Public Universities, which will aim to limit excessive political influence in the Board of Governors and various boards of trustees.