TO THE EDITOR:
A recent article in the DTH announced that Chancellor Holden Thorp will now be teaching Introduction to Entrepreneurship in conjunction with two other staff members.
In the article, Thorp spoke of dividing his time between his administrative duties and taking turns leading lectures, stating “I get to step in and teach when I get tired of doing important stuff.”
This quote is extremely disturbing coming from the head of a university that supposedly prides itself on paving the way for higher education. Apparently, teaching and learning (you know, the whole reason the University exists) is not an important function for Thorp, but rather an entertaining hobby that breaks him away from the stresses of his job.
I guess the “important stuff” that he is referring to includes maintaining relationships with the NCAA and broadcasting networks (ensuring millions of dollars in revenues from sporting events), raising money for the school through alumni and charitable donations and maintaining a steady growth in tuition bills.
It is a shame that so many students who care so much about their educations (many of whom will be paying for it for years to come) are neglected so rashly.
I hope that during his haphazard and sporadic lectures that Chancellor Thorp doesn’t teach UNC’s eager young entrepreneurs to focus solely on raising capital and neglect core operational functions, a practice that he has experience in (i.e. Xanthon, Inc.).
Steven Worsham
Class of 2011
