The working group of seven board members tasked with reviewing the centers met Friday in Chapel Hill. The group plans to complete a final report by Dec. 31.
The first review phase whittled the system’s 240 research centers to 91. UNC-CH centers that remain under review include the Ackland Art Museum, the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity.
Centers and institutes were deemed to require further review if they have a budget of less than $50,000, have an economic return ratio of less than two-to-one or receive more than $100,000 in in-kind support, which is non-monetary support. Some were placed on the list for multiple reasons.
The board’s efforts are in response to a mandate by the N.C. General Assembly, which tasked the board with considering a $15 million cut to research centers and institutes and reallocating the funds to other UNC-system priorities.
On Friday, the group discussed the process for the second phase. UNC-Charlotte Chancellor Philip Dubois said he thinks the proposed review process might not offer a full view of the centers’ purpose and impact on campuses.
“You’re trying to take a tree and whittle it down to a stick,” he said. “But to me, the questions you ought to be asking are what do they do, how do they do it and who benefits.”
Once the secondary review has been completed, individual centers and institutes that remain in limbo will be asked to give presentations at the board’s December meeting.
