RALEIGH (July 6, 2023) – Dear readers, today we share the latest episodes in the ongoing saga The Political Takeover of the UNC System. Just as the UNC Governance Commission was completing its recommendations for how to improve governance of the university system, we received fresh reminders of why those recommendations desperately need to be… READ MORE

RALEIGH (June 27, 2023) – The Chronicle of Higher Education recently labeled the University of North Carolina System “a poster child for troubled governance.” The UNC Board of Governors and campus Boards of Trustees have compiled a scrapbook of examples of poor governing in recent years: Driving off worthy leaders, interference in campus chancellor searches,… READ MORE

RALEIGH (June 12, 2023) – A bipartisan commission appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper made recommendations this week to increase representation on the University of North Carolina System’s governing boards. Cooper told reporters the UNC System has distinguished North Carolina and made a difference for its people – but its governing boards need more diversity of… READ MORE

RALEIGH (June 1, 2023) – The UNC Board of Governors adopted a new policy on searches for campus chancellors last week that gets rid of one bad policy the Board adopted three years ago. But the new policy seems part of an ongoing move to concentrate control of UNC campuses with the UNC System Office… READ MORE

RALEIGH (May 18, 2023) – What price control of the UNC System? Apparently about $400 million. The cost of a new “Education Campus” to be built across Salisbury Street in Raleigh from the Legislative Building to house offices of the UNC System, NC Community College System, Department of Public Instruction and Department of Commerce has… READ MORE

RALEIGH (May 4, 2023) – Gov. Roy Cooper’s UNC Governance Commission began discussing its recommendations this week to make UNC governing boards more representative of the state, more ethical and less politicized. “I think everybody wanted less politics in the Board of Governors and the Boards of Trustees,” said Commission Member and former UNC Board… READ MORE

RALEIGH (May 3, 2023) – The NC House made its appointments to the UNC Board of Governors this week – and added a touch of ethnic and political variety in the process. The House reappointed four current members of the board – Dr. Pearl Burris-Floyd of Gaston County, C. Philip Byers of Rutherford County, Terry… READ MORE

RALEIGH (April 20, 2023) – If there’s any doubt that education – especially higher education – is in the crosshairs for next year’s elections, North Carolina’s Republican legislators made it clear in recent days. It’s bill-filing season – the time of year when some poor soul in the General Assembly’s Bill Drafting Division must attempt… READ MORE

RALEIGH (March 16, 2023) – And to further diversify the UNC Board of Governors, the NC Senate offers (drum roll, please): Two more white male Republican former legislators. A state Senate committee unveiled the chamber’s nominees for the Board of Governors this week. It includes four current members – Temple Sloan III, Michael Williford, Mark… READ MORE