Chancellor Folt should be praised for her efforts to reach out and speak to all corners of campus in her first three months at UNC.
As a newcomer to campus, Folt made the right decision in postponing action to instead listen to the voices of people from across the University.
She spent hours on the phone with former Chancellor Holden Thorp upon being approved as the next chancellor in May and has continued to get information from him in recent months. Just days after settling in, Folt met with Gov. Pat McCrory and other state legislators.
Since then, she’s been spending her time speaking with students, faculty and members of the Board of Governors. She has no problem admitting she still doesn’t know UNC very well and allowing the University community to teach her everything she needs to know.
Folt recently took part in a Tea Talk discussion with a small group of students to hear them speak about issues. Folt’s commitment to student input even led to her suggestion of including a student-led presentation at each UNC Board of Trustees meeting.
These moves indicate that Folt wants her relationship with students to be personal and transparent.
After speaking with Folt, some students advocacy groups are antsy for the chancellor to take action. But the last thing the University needs is a stranger meddling with touchy topics such as sexual assault policy, gender-neutral housing and the relationship between athletics and academics.
It’s important to allow Folt the time she needs to fully understand the depth and history of issues surrounding the University.
All of the advice and information Folt has been seeking out will be useful as she prepares to begin making important decisions about the University’s future.
