The Daily Tar Heel editorial board, along with the Campus Y Executive Board, the UNC BOG Democracy Coalition and the UNC Young Democrats, submitted a draft of the following resolution to Student Congress, entitled “A resolution to express the Congress’ views on the resignation of Tom Ross.” It passed on a roll-call vote in Tuesday’s session.
WHEREAS, the UNC Board of Governors forced President Ross to resign from his position after a vote to begin the leadership transition;
WHEREAS, the Board of Governors stated of President Ross “that his performance has been exemplary, and that he has devoted his full energy, intellect and passion to fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of his office”;
WHEREAS, the Board of Governors provided no concrete reasons for forcing President Ross’ resignation other than “having a different timeline”;
WHEREAS, President Ross led the University System through multiple rounds of budget cuts while preserving the integrity and independence of its diverse academic programs; and
WHEREAS, the decision to remove Tom Ross may reflect political bias exerted by a board meant to serve all North Carolina residents through the public university systems;
Therefore, be it resolved by the Student Congress of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill that:
The 96th Student Congress of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as the elected legislative authority of the Student Government of the University representing all of the 29,135 students of the student body expresses its disapproval of the UNC Board of Governors decision to remove President Ross from his current position. The Student Congress recognizes the Board of Governors has the right to remove the system president, but also that it has the responsibility to remain transparent in that process.
Lastly, the Student Congress calls for an increased student and faculty role in the UNC President selection process.
