Like colleges and universities across the country, UNC Greensboro faces rapidly changing conditions, from enrollment challenges to shifts in student and regional needs. We’re seizing this moment as an opportunity — a chance to sharpen our focus, align resources with our vision and strategic direction, and identify areas for long-term growth and leadership. Strengthening the University’s financial and academic footing for the next 10 to 20 years can happen only through comprehensive evaluation of our operations.
We have worked within our authority to initiate an Academic Portfolio Review, and multiple levels of the campus community have effectively engaged in the process in the interests of their units and the University. The process has been collaborative, thorough, and transparent, making data available to our community while including diverse and independent analyses across academic units. Further, the deans publicly shared their rationale for their recommendations via meetings and on the Innovation and Reinvention site.
As an institution of higher learning, we expect a diversity of thought, and constructive critiques are welcomed as there is no perfect process. However, these critiques must be based on facts, not distortions, and not on fear but on collective wisdom. To do otherwise is corrosive to the campus community and creates barriers to the way forward. Although without operational consequence, the vote to censure us — as the Chancellor and the Provost — by some members of the Faculty Senate (not a vote of the General Faculty) extends beyond critique. This action is a consequence of mis- and dis-information intended to protect the status quo. Although such an action is a disappointment, we remain undaunted in our commitment to meet the challenges ahead.
We have and will continue to work collaboratively with faculty partners who are dedicated to taking necessary steps for the best interests of the University, its students, and its mission.
Chancellor Franklin D. Gilliam, Jr.
Provost Debbie Storrs
