As Concerns Over Chancellor Search Bubble on Campus, UNC System Leaders Take Steps to Protect UNC from Partisan Influence

It’s Tuesday, April 9.

Support the INDY Press Club.

Good morning, readers. 

In January, Lee Roberts was appointed as interim chancellor of UNC-Chapel Hill. 

At the time, the selection prompted concerns among faculty, students, and alumni. Now, questions about the process to find a full-time replacement are gaining traction on campus. Students have organized a group called TransparUNCy, pointing at GOP control of the state and thus the public university and university system. Lately, they’ve held “teach-ins” to talk about these connections. 

Roberts has addressed the concerns about partisan bias head-on. In a March Q&A session with the group Coalition for Carolina, which seeks to keep UNC free of partisan influence, Roberts called his role “nonpartisan” and said he plans to do the job “in a nonpartisan way.” During the session, he emphasized his goals around making updates to the university’s strategic plan during his interim chancellorship. 

UNC officially launched its search process for a new chancellor late last month, and UNC System president Peter Hans promised “a fair and rigorous process.” The 13-member search committee includes students, faculty members, and alumni, but it also includes Hans and GOP-appointed members of the board of governors and board of trustees, which has raised concerns. 

In a January 12 memo, Hans and board of governors chair Randy Ramsey reiterated the board of trustees’ advisory powers, empowering the chancellor to set agendas for trustees’ meeting with requirements for trustees to submit agenda requests to the chancellor in writing in advance of meetings and reassigning authority over a series of personnel actions from the trustees to the interim chancellor. Coalition for Carolina praised the memo as “significant” and “laudable” after the group, in a petition in December, urged Hans and Ramsey to take steps to stop trustees from improperly interfering with administrative business such as the chancellor search. 

Roberts has yet to say whether he will seek the permanent position.

“The search just kicked off and I’ve been here less than three months,” Roberts said. “I want to stress that I have not been promised anything other than the opportunity to work hard as interim chancellor and that’s what I’m doing.”

Have a great Tuesday.

—Chase

Love the INDY? Support it by joining the INDY Press Club.