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CJ politics week in review, Sept. 28-Oct. 2

Each week, staff at Carolina Journal looks back at the week in N.C. politics and chooses several interesting, relevant stories you may have missed. Grillgate: In North Carolina, barbecue is for fighting. Cal Cunningham learned that the hard way. The Democratic U.S. Senate candidate tweeted an image of himself preparing to grill some hot dogs...

Lindsay Marchello, Kari Travis
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Finger-pointing continues, COVID-19 clusters grow at UNC campuses

University of North Carolina leaders, students, and faculty are blaming each other for the growing number of COVID-19 cases on campuses. But it’s unclear where the fault lies. Plenty of fingers were pointed at the UNC System, who left the blueprints for reopening with campus officials. Others blame the campus leaders for trying to squeeze...

Lindsay Marchello
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UPDATED: UNC COVID outbreaks underscore desire of parents, students for financial relief if schools close

UPDATE, Monday, 4:06 p.m. UNC Chapel Hill officials announced the university would move to full online instruction on Wednesday and “reduce residential intensity.” Four COVID-19 outbreaks reported last week at UNC Chapel Hill won’t shut down the flagship university campus. Yet. Officials are dealing with the “clusters” — defined as at least five positive coronavirus...

Emma Schambach
News

Tuition and fees will stay the same at UNC schools despite possible disruptions from COVID-19

The University of North Carolina Board of Governors is keeping tuition and fees the same no matter what happens with COVID-19. But while UNC insists the value of classes remains high — even when those classes are held via Zoom — students tell Carolina Journal this isn’t the college experience they paid for.  Tuition and fees...

Lindsay Marchello, Kari Travis
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UNC President-elect Peter Hans’ performance-based pay could set national example, experts say

Incoming University of North Carolina System President Peter Hans has accepted a $400,000 base salary — significantly less than the earnings of some peers and predecessors. But the pay, outlined in a five-year contract, is accompanied by hefty, performance-based bonuses.  If executed correctly, the contract could be a great model for universities nationwide, says Richard...

Emma Schambach

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N.C. Community College President Peter Hans expected to be named new head of UNC System

The University of North Carolina System will name Peter Hans its new president, CJ has confirmed.  Hans, president of the N.C. Community College System since May 2018, will be elected Friday, June 19, to head UNC’s 17-campus system, WRAL first reported Thursday. Multiple sources have corroborated the story. The UNC Board of Governors will meet...

Kari Travis
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UNC makes temporary changes to admission standards in response to COVID-19

Editor’s note: This story has been updated from its original version.  College entrance exams are canceled or postponed nationwide due to the coronavirus outbreak. But North Carolina students who can’t retake tests to post a better SAT or ACT score on their fall college applications may still be accepted to a University of North Carolina...

Kari Travis
News

UNC board member says online learning should become higher priority

Marty Kotis, a member of the University of North Carolina System’s Board of Governors, for years has pushed for more online learning programs from UNC’s college campuses. He hasn’t gathered much support, but that may change now that the coronavirus pandemic is uprooting traditional higher education.  “I hate that this is what it takes for...

Lindsay Marchello
News

New UNC board chairman Ramsey tackles finances, student fees, and campus leadership

In October 2019, Beaufort businessman Randy Ramsey was unanimously elected chairman of the University of North Carolina System’s Board of Governors.  He’s had an eventful few months at the helm.  Ramsey, president of boat-building company Jarrett Bay Boatworks, was named to the board in 2017 and became vice chair in 2018. As the successor of...

Kari Travis
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Judge sets deadline for Silent Sam’s return to the UNC system 

Orange County Superior Court Judge Allen Baddour has given a local Confederate group 45 days to return Silent Sam to the University of North Carolina system.  Baddour filed the order Thursday, Feb. 20. The N.C. Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans must return the Confederate monument to the UNC System within the designated time....

Lindsay Marchello
News

UNC System lawyer suggests a do-over with Silent Sam 

The University of North Carolina System hopes to return to square one with the Silent Sam case, a letter from a lawyer representing the UNC System said.  Superior Court Judge Allen Baddour tossed the $2.5 million settlement transferring ownership of the Confederate monument to a N.C. chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans on Feb. 12...

Lindsay Marchello