The University of North Carolina System is governed by confusion, and the problem is as much systemic as it is situational. Personal relationships and organizational uncertainty make it tough for UNC to function without conflict — and to manage its public image, says Andy Taylor, professor of political science at N. C. State University. Former...
Since January 2016, the University of North Carolina system has had two “permanent” presidents and two interim leaders (including current Interim President Dr. Bill Roper). In recent months, UNC Chapel Hill Chancellor Carol Folt left in a huff, taking the Confederate memorial “Silent Sam” down on her way out. East Carolina University Chancellor Cecil Staton...
University of North Carolina Interim President Dr. Bill Roper acted unilaterally, at the direction of Board of Governors Chairman Harry Smith, to reach a termination agreement with East Carolina University Chancellor Cecil Staton’s employment, one BOG member says. The BOG had no chance to weigh in on the termination of Staton, a violation of UNC’s...
Update: The story has been updated since its original publication at 5 p.m. Sunday, March 17. East Carolina University Chancellor Cecil Staton announced his resignation Monday, March 18. Carolina Journal had learned Sunday about Staton’s plans to leave the job May 3. He’ll stay until June 30 to advise UNC System Interim President Bill Roper...
UNC Chapel Hill Chancellor Carol Folt is leaving her job at the end of the month. On Monday, Jan. 14, Folt announced her plans to leave her position in Chapel Hill at the end of the academic year and to remove Silent Sam’s pedestal from campus. Then, Tuesday, Jan. 15, after the controversial Confederate statue’s...
UNC Chapel Hill Chancellor Carol Folt will leave her job at the end of the academic year, and Silent Sam’s pedestal is going with her, she announced to the UNC Board of Governors in an emergency closed session meeting Jan. 14. Folt cited security concerns as the primary reason for the decision to remove the...
University of North Carolina System President Margaret Spellings is about to leave her job in Chapel Hill, saddling her successor with a daunting task: wrangling a perfect storm of campus and state politics. On Dec. 14, while Spellings gave her final remarks to the UNC Board of Governors, dozens of demonstrators gathered in the rain...
North Carolinians agree education beyond high school is important, but a traditional four-year degree isn’t the only option people consider, a new poll shows. A Nov. 28 Gallup survey commissioned by the My Future NC Commission, a working group to “set a statewide recommendation for post-secondary attainment,” found 94 percent of state residents think it’s...
The University of North Carolina System’s Board of Governors Chairman Harry Smith has recused himself from all communications with East Carolina University, his alma mater, and the third largest school in the system. Now, UNC System offices are refusing to release a personnel review of the school’s embattled Chancellor Cecil Staton — even though Staton...
Editor’s note: This story was corrected after initial publication to note that Margaret Spellings ordered the 360 review of Cecil Staton. The leader of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors says he’s cutting ties with East Carolina University. “After consultation with my leadership team on the UNC Board of Governors, UNC System President...
Editor’s Note, 3:15 p.m.: See update below. East Carolina University Chancellor Cecil Staton will leave his post Jan. 1 — just before University of North Carolina System President Margaret Spellings leaves Jan. 15 — Carolina Journal has confirmed from sources familiar with the situation in Greenville. Staton, in past months the object of criticism from...
