MANTEO – The dedication recently of the new Marc Basnight Bridge over Oregon Inlet1 brings to mind the visionary former state Senate leader’s passion not just for the Outer Banks, but for higher education. Partly because he didn’t go to college himself and considered it a shortcoming, Basnight became an ardent supporter of the University… READ MORE
Bonds the best way to address school construction
RALEIGH – Given population growth, demand for better-educated workers and a mounting maintenance backlog, construction needs for education in North Carolina are enormous. And bonds are the most reliable way to start addressing those needs. So far this year, state leaders have made three competing proposals to build education capacity: The state House approved a… READ MORE
John McMillan – Prince of a man
By David Rice Executive Director RALEIGH (Feb. 8, 2019) – We lost a prince Wednesday night. When you work with someone for seven years, you tend to learn their flaws, their foibles, their failings. Yet I simply can’t think of anything negative to say about John McMillan. John’s achievements were manifold: He served as counsel… READ MORE
2019 General Assembly: Step up education investments
RALEIGH – For the past two weeks, we’ve shared data that show how North Carolina is underinvesting in education.1 So as the 2019 NC General Assembly convenes today, there’s quite a bit state legislators could do for education in our state, from pre-kindergarten through the university. House Speaker Tim Moore has already proposed a $1.9… READ MORE
BOG buys time for a Silent Sam solution
CHAPEL HILL – Given the many factors involved – safety, cost, emotions and the law – the UNC Board of Governors made a reasonable call last week to put off a decision about the Silent Sam Confederate monument at UNC Chapel Hill and work toward the right solution.1 “The goal here is nothing less than… READ MORE
A university with its hands tied
CHAPEL HILL – Hardly anyone seems satisfied with a plan UNC-Chapel Hill officials unveiled Monday to move the Silent Sam Confederate memorial to a new history center the University has contemplated since 2015.1 But Chancellor Carol Folt and the University’s Board of Trustees have largely had their hands tied by a state law that places… READ MORE
NC voters enforce balance of powers
RALEIGH – North Carolina voters demonstrated Tuesday that they want our governor to have a true voice in governing our state – they want to re-establish and preserve the balance of powers. By breaking Republicans’ veto-proof majorities in the state House and apparently the Senate as well, they broadened the conversation about the future of… READ MORE
Higher Expectations in 2017
2017 has been a year of higher expectations for higher education in North Carolina: With guidance from President Margaret Spellings, the UNC Board of Governors adopted a strategic plan, Higher Expectations, which places an emphasis on building more “on-ramps” for rural, low-income and first-generation students. Education leaders faced other challenges as well – and the… READ MORE
Gage and Eshelman: Spellings deserves ‘full-throated support’
By Hannah Gage and Fred Eshelman The importance to North Carolina of a world-class university system cannot be stressed enough. Our state’s reputation — our ability to attract new jobs and industries, and our capacity to generate investment and opportunity for our citizens — rests heavily on the success of the University of North Carolina… READ MORE
UNC board needs to support Margaret Spellings
By HUGH McCOLL Margaret Spellings came to North Carolina as President of the University of North Carolina System last year with an already-firm belief in making higher education accessible and affordable for as many students as possible. She understands that by 2020, 65 percent of U.S. jobs will require some form of higher education,1 so… READ MORE
