October 6, 2023
Meeting of the Faculty Council
Friday, October 6, 2023
3:00 p.m.
2001 Kerr Hall (Eshelman School of Pharmacy)
The meeting will be recorded and streamed live at this link.
Agenda
3:00 p.m. Chair’s welcome and remarks
Chair of the Faculty Beth Moracco
Expression of sympathy from Student Government [PDF]
3:10 p.m. Introduction to student and staff leaders
Introduced by Chair of the Faculty Beth Moracco
Chair Katie Musgrove (Employee Forum)
Student representative Nikolas Morrison-Welch (Graduate and Professional Student Government)
Student representative Olivia Putman (Undergraduate Student Government)
Student representative Margaux Sherwen (Undergraduate Student Government)
3:15 p.m. Presentation of the 2023 Thomas Jefferson Award
Presented by Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz
Nominator’s remarks by Prof. Lloyd Kramer (History)
Awardee’s remarks by Prof. Patricia Parker (Communication)
3:35 p.m. Chancellor’s remarks
Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz
3:55 p.m. Update on School of Civic Life and Leadership
Dean Jim White (Arts and Sciences)
4:30 p.m. Update on new tuition support program
Associate Provost and Director Jackie Copeland (Scholarships and Student Aid)
4:45 p.m. Resolution on support for tuition and fees for eligible families [PDF]
Submitted by the Faculty Executive Committee
5:00 p.m. Adjournment
Video of Proceedings
Watch the full video [Streaming]
Journal of Proceedings of the Faculty Council
The Faculty Council of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill convened on October 6, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. in Kerr Hall, Room 2001 at the Eshelman School of Pharmacy. A Zoom webinar option was provided for Council members who were unable to attend in person. Other faculty and members of the public were able to observe the meeting on a livestream.
The following 76 Faculty Council members attended: Alderman, Azcarate-Peril, Balasubramanian, Becker, Berkoff, Binz, Blythe, Brownley, Budhiraja, Cai, Campbell, Cilenti, Colford, Cook, Divaris, Donahue, Dooley, Drummond, Ebert, Entwisle, Estroff, Frederick, Freeman, Gates-Foster, Gold, Goralski, Guskiewicz (Chancellor), Haggis, Halpern, Hannig, Hessick, Hodges, Jackson, Johnson, Juffras, Kasthuri, Krause, Kucera, La Serna, Lain, Lee, Lin, Maman, McNeilly, Mersini-Houghton, Metcalfe, Meyer, Moore (Secretary of the Faculty), Moracco (Chair of the Faculty), Nichols, Oliveira, Penton, Pier, Raff, Reissner, Renner, Reyes, Roberts, Sathy, Schlobohm, Sena, J. Smith, Smith Taillie, Stewart, Thomas, Thorp, Turi, Vernon-Feagans, Vines, Weiler, Winget, Wolfe, Yaghoobi, Young, Zeeman and Zhu.
The following 9 members received excused absences: Aikat, Boyd, De Fays, Lauen, Ma, Mehrotra, Mohanty, K. Smith and Zomorodi.
The following 5 members were absent without excuse: Ansong, Charles, Dillman Carpentier, McEntee and Mendez.
Others in attendance: Clemens (Provost), Nikolas Morrison-Welch (Graduate Observer) Olivia Putman (Undergraduate Observer) and Margaux Sherwen (Undergraduate Observer).
Call to order
Chair of the Faculty Beth Moracco called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
Chair of the Faculty remarks
Chair Moracco welcomed everyone to the October Faculty Council meeting and gave brief introductory remarks. The beginning of an academic year is brimming with possibility, promise, and pride, feelings that we hope to recapture after a bad start to the year. There is good news about our university, including higher rankings and eight years without an increase in tuition. University Day is next week, and she encouraged Council members to attend. We are also facing considerable challenges. The state budget contains many items with benefits for Carolina but also includes some matters that may seem inconsistent with principles of shared governance. We need to be vigilant in assuring the faculty voice is heard. We will have many issues to discuss in the coming months, including the faculty workload policy, potential changes to post-tenure review, and new issues around accreditation, just to name a few. Chair Moracco urged Council members to communicate with the faculty members they serve, to keep them informed and learn what they want from us. Finally, she noted that a resolution from the Joint Governance Council of the Student Government was included in the agenda packet. The resolution expressed condolences to the family of Dr. Xijie Yan, who was slain on campus on August 28, and appreciation to the administration, faculty and staff who have worked tirelessly to support students during this trying time.
Introduction to student and staff leaders
Chair Moracco introduced staff and student leaders including Employee Forum Chair Katie Musgrove and student government representatives Nikolas Morrison-Welch (Graduate and Professional Student Government), Olivia Putman (Undergraduate Student Government) and Margaux Sherwen (Undergraduate Student Government) to the Faculty Council.
Presentation of the 2023 Thomas Jefferson Award
Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz presented Professor Patricia Parker (Communication) with the 2023 Thomas Jefferson Award [one of two being awarded this year] and offered his congratulations.
Professor Lloyd Kramer (History), one of Professor Parker’s nominators, made remarks [PDF].
Professor Parker accepted the award and gave remarks [PDF].
Chancellor’s remarks
Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz gave an update on campus news, events and initiatives.
UNC-Chapel Hill is the number 4 ranked public university in the country and is ranked 22nd overall in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report Best College rankings. Carolina also ranked 14th place overall in the rankings for best value schools. The University has held first place among public institutions in the best value category for 19 years. Additional 2024 Best Colleges rankings for UNC-Chapel Hill include: 4th in nursing (tied), 7th in management, 7th in marketing, 8th in undergraduate business (tied), 12th in entrepreneurship (tied) and 9th for Best Colleges for Veterans.
This summer, the University announced its commitment to cover tuition for families with incomes less than $80,000 per year. This reaffirms the University’s goal of being “passionately public” and accessible, ensuring that the cost does not become a barrier.
The chancellor expressed gratitude for the budget passed by the General Assembly. North Carolina is one of the best-funded states in terms of state appropriations. The budget includes funding for various initiatives, infrastructure, raises and faculty/staff retention. A particular emphasis has been placed on funding for computer science and data science to meet workforce demands as more companies move to North Carolina.
The budget also includes support for the School of Civic Life and Leadership (SCLL). Chancellor Guskiewicz emphasized the importance of addressing political polarization in society. The University’s Program for Public Discourse and SCLL are efforts to promote robust public argument.
The University is also committed to academic freedom and freedom of expression. The Committee on Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression is working to define a uniquely Carolina perspective on these principles.
Chancellor Guskiewicz encouraged everyone to attend University Day on October 12.
The floor was opened for questions.
Professor Misha Becker (Linguistics) asked for an update on the Carolina Women’s Center.
Chancellor Guskiewicz said over the past year, there has been a concerted effort to reimagine the Carolina Women’s Center. This reimagining has gone to the extent of considering a potential name change for the center and possibly revising its mission. The finalist for the director’s position has been identified. An official announcement regarding the new director and associate director is anticipated soon.
Professor Jennifer Gates-Foster (Classics) asked for additional information regarding the budget cuts to the School of Government and the Law School.
Chancellor Guskiewicz commented that there was hope for funding to plan a new building for the Law School, but this request went back and forth during the budget cycle, ultimately resulting in disappointment. However, there are plans to continue advocating for the new building, and discussions with Dean Martin Brinkley are scheduled.
In the case of the School of Government, there were conversations to understand the cut, and Dean Aimee Wall has been engaging with stakeholders to explore new program offerings. While some funding was obtained for new programs, there was a one-time cut that the school is working to better comprehend and address to meet the State’s needs.
Professor Allison Schlobohm (Business) expressed concerns about a recent exodus of professors from Texas and Florida due to the political context in those states. She asked the chancellor if this issue is on the radar of leaders at UNC-CH and emphasized the importance of addressing these concerns to avoid becoming the next place that experiences a faculty exodus.
Chancellor Guskiewicz said this issue has been a topic of discussion among university leaders, including recent conversations at a presidential roundtable discussion he attended in New York City with nine other university presidents from across the country. He expressed worry about political polarization affecting higher education. The University is committed to reassuring and recruiting faculty members and emphasizing the institution’s commitment to its mission and values. These concerns are being discussed at the Faculty Assembly and other faculty councils and senates in the UNC-System.
Professor Carolyn Halpern (Maternal and Child Health) asked for an update on budgetary allocations for infrastructure, expressing particular concern about ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance on campus.
Chancellor Guskiewicz said the University is dedicated to addressing ADA compliance and infrastructure upgrades, and that substantial funding has been allocated for ADA compliance improvements. Planned improvements include the replacement of numerous elevators and the installation of a new sloped walkway at the Old Well. Wilson Library will be closed for two years to undergo a significant renovation, with a majority of the allocated $20 million being directed toward ADA compliance. The University is also reassessing curb cuts and will repair existing ones that have deteriorated. The commitment to secure additional funding for these efforts remains a priority, and the Board of Trustees is fully supportive of these initiatives.
Professor Lloyd Kramer (History) said there is concern among the faculty about a provision in the budget that requires the University to change its accrediting agency. The faculty has traditionally worked closely with its current accrediting agency. He asked if UNC System President Peter Hans has responded to this issue.
Chancellor Guskiewicz said he will discuss this matter with President Hans next Thursday. He noted that the provision was not a partisan issue, having been agreed upon by both Republicans and Democrats. This situation has raised many questions and concerns, but further clarification is needed. Changing accrediting agencies poses significant challenges, including finding another credible agency and potential risks to federal funding and scholarships if accreditation is lost.
Update on School of Civic Life and Leadership (SCLL)
Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Jim White announced the inaugural faculty of SCLL and their duties [PDF].
Professor Mark McNeilly (Business) asked if there will be opportunities for professors outside the College to teach in SCLL.
Dean White replied that, since it is within the College, the initial approach was to start with a small group of inaugural faculty within the College. As with other units in the College, they will be looking at opening the possibilities for adjuncts from within the university or other schools. He is aware that there are faculty outside the College who would like to be part of SCLL.
Professor Parker asked for clarification on the title of the person who will lead SCLL and who that person would report to within the College.
Dean White said the director and dean of SCLL will report to him. Typically chairs report directly to the senior associate deans, who then report to Dean White.
Professor Becker asked where the new faculty hired for SCLL will be located and whether the school will have a physical presence.
Dean White said SCLL will be in housed in Whitehead Hall.
Professor Donald Haggis (Classics) asked when information on the structure, function and programming of SCLL will be available.
Dean White does not have a timeline for this information yet. The inaugural faculty will define the vision for the new school, initiate the groundwork for developing the curriculum and build the administrative infrastructure that academic units need to operate effectively. He anticipates this will be a busy year for those faculty and that the work will continue into the next couple of years.
Professor Kramer asked if the home departments of the inaugural faculty will receive course buyouts or compensation. He also asked if faculty would create new courses or if they will teach courses they have already constructed that fit the themes of SCLL.
Dean White said the inaugural faculty, and many faculty across campus, already teach courses in civil discourse, democracy, civic life and leadership. The SCLL faculty will continue to teach the courses they have already constructed.
Professor Sridhar Balasubramanian (Business) said there may be an opportunity to think creatively and make SCLL a leading institution that positively impacts society. He suggested the idea of starting from scratch to develop a program that might be entirely different from the current approach of using courses already taught by faculty.
Dean White said the goal has been to set up a situation in which chances for success are as high as possible. The nine inaugural faculty are being encouraged to think creatively and to establish something that is both uniquely Carolina and an institution that is recognized as a national leader.
Professor Ronit Freeman (Applied Physical Sciences) asked if the inaugural faculty will draw inspiration from models at other institutions engaged in similar work. Additionally, she inquired about the criteria for success and how it will be measured within the context of the new school.
Dean White said this initiative is faculty-led and they will make the final decision, but he expects the faculty to consider both what other universities are doing and create, UNC-specific approaches. Measures of success will include whether our students are benefiting and are more comfortable having difficult conversations who better understand what it takes to keep a democracy.
Professor Freeman asked if SCLL would primarily focus on teaching and learning or if it will extend to research, publication and outreach.
Dean White said they intend to hire tenured or tenure-track faculty members who will engage in research and creative work within the school. The school will encompass a component of research and creative activities alongside its other functions.
Professor McNeilly asked whether the intent of SCLL is to reach a large audience of 20,000 students (going broad) or to focus on a smaller, more specific group of students (going deep).
Dean White did not have a definitive answer because the decision will ultimately rest with the faculty, but he did state that the “Communication Beyond Carolina” curriculum requirement is broad reaching. While not housed within SCLL, he expects SCLL to play a vital role in offering courses that fulfill this requirement.
Professor Gates-Foster asked how the information and outcomes from the inaugural faculty will be shared with the broader community.
Dean White expressed his commitment to transparency. He has released several communications, which are located on the College of Arts and Sciences website, and is working with Chair Moracco to ensure these communications are broadly disseminated. He highlighted the importance of providing faculty with the time, space and freedom for their deliberations, recognizing that internal and external stakeholders are closely observing their work.
[A professor] asked about the characterization of SCLL as a faculty-led initiative when it was not created by faculty.Dean White responded that although the school began in a top-down fashion, to be lasting it must be built from the ground up. The College and inaugural faculty have taken it and made it into a Carolina program.
Professor Eric Hodges (Nursing) asked if SCLL’s mission and values have already been established, or if they will be created by the inaugural faculty.
Dean White said a framework will be established to encourage faculty participation. He emphasized the importance of providing enough definition to guide the initiative without over-defining it, allowing the faculty to take ownership of the vision. His approach is to offer guidance without overprescribing the initiative, recognizing the importance of allowing the faculty to be visionary leaders.
Professor Donald Haggis (Classics) asked if the primary focus of the inaugural faculty lies in curricular and programmatic aspects, such as structuring courses and degrees.
Dean White said the responsibilities of the inaugural faculty are like those of any department. There is curricular work, creative work, research, service and a visionary element.
Professor Schlobohm expressed concern about the potential for ongoing interference or influence from the state legislature, given the way SCLL was initiated. She asked Dean White for any information that may alleviate her concerns.
Dean White expressed hope that the necessary time and space will be allowed to demonstrate the University’s capability. He believes the University’s work and accomplishments will ultimately lead to reduced external micromanagement.
Professor Sue Estroff (Social Medicine) asked why SCLL is being created.
Dean White responded that we were told we were going to do this.
Chancellor Guskiewicz expressed gratitude to individuals involved in SCLL, specifically Dean White and Senior Associate Dean for Fine Arts and Humanities Elizabeth Engelhart, along with the nine inaugural faculty. He is excited about the opportunities the initiative presents and he emphasized the importance of the campus community having confidence that it will be developed and executed in a way that is consistent with how we have always developed curricula. The Program on Public Discourse initially faced similar opposition but has become successful over time. He stressed that the initiative should be developed by the faculty and remain consistent with the principles of the marketplace of ideas.
Dean White added that in the IDEAs in Action curriculum the faculty recognized the need to educate students on how to engage in difficult conversations, listen, form their own opinions, and actively participate in civic life in a democracy. He expressed concern about the state of constructive conversations in the country and underscored their importance of in preserving democracy. Carolina’s work in this area predates SCLL and includes efforts with the Program on Public Discourse. SCLL supplanted some of the efforts that were already underway, which created structural challenges but also revealed enthusiasm for the idea. The College’s support of the initiative and the positive response from the faculty gives the administration the confidence that this initiative will be something to be proud of in the future.
Professor Yong Cai (Sociology) asked whether the program will continue even if financial support is no longer available or if support is withdrawn.
Dean White affirmed the University’s commitment to continue teaching in the areas of civil public discourse, democracy and civic life. These topics are already integral to the educational mission. He is uncertain about whether there will be a centralized location specifically designated to these efforts in the future.
Chair Moracco acknowledged the tremendous work carried out over the summer by the faculty. She encouraged others to read the ad hoc committee’s report, which outlines general principles and provides a timeline of updates. She noted a challenge in receiving updates and suggested finding a better way to access them. The main concern she raised is about elements in the budget, such as the stipulation of hiring 10 to 20 tenure track faculty from outside the University, which she feels may not align with the faculty-led approach or with work that has already been done. She asked for guidance on how to voice these concerns and support the chancellor and provost in addressing these issues.
Dean White said he is receptive to feedback and encouraged others to communicate any issues or incongruities they observe in the process. While he finds the allocation of 10 to 20 faculty positions somewhat unusual, he acknowledged the need to maintain a robust tenure-track faculty in the College and his commitment to this goal.
Professor Estroff asked if there will be other schools and curricula that are created by and mandated by the Board of Trustees and the legislature.
Chancellor Guskiewicz said he did not anticipate that but this is not the only potential new school for our campus that has been discussed. He emphasized the importance of getting this new initiative right.
Update on new tuition support program
Associate Provost and Director of Scholarships and Student Aid Jackie Copeland gave a presentation [PDF] on the new tuition support program.
Professor Andy Hessick (Law) asked if recipients of this program are still eligible for federal aid.
Director Copeland said yes, the new program provides support that is in addition to other aid students receive.
Professor Joy Renner (Radiologic Science) expressed gratitude to the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid for their assistance in helping her students with financial issues.
Director Copeland encouraged faculty to contact her office if they have students in need.
Chancellor Guskiewicz mentioned the annual event organized by the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid that showcases students who have greatly benefited from philanthropic support and donors who have contributed to programs like this. Attendees are left with a strong sense of pride in Carolina and the opportunities provided to students. Next year is the 20th anniversary of the Carolina Covenant Program, and some students from the early years are now giving back to the program, contributing to the program’s continued success.
Resolution on support for tuition and fees for eligible families
Chair Moracco moved to adopt Resolution 2023-06, On Supporting Carolina’s Program for Full Tuition and Fee Support for Eligible Students [PDF]. The motion was seconded by Professor Hodges.
Secretary of the Faculty Jill Moore opened the floor for discussion.
Secretary Moore stated that the question before the body was whether to approve Resolution 2023-06 and opened the vote. The resolution passed on a show-of-hands vote. .
Adjournment
Its business having concluded, the Faculty Council adjourned at 4:46 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kadejah Murray
University Program Associate
Jill Moore
Secretary of the Faculty
