TO THE EDITOR:
I am a high school student, and I’m beginning my college search.
While looking recently at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I came across the recent closure of the three centers by the Board of Governors, one of which is at UNC-Chapel Hill.
On Feb. 27 the BOG voted to close the Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity at UNC-Chapel Hill, the Center for Biodiversity at East Carolina University, as well as N.C. Central University’s Institute for Civic Engagement and Social Change.
I implore you to take action to defend academic freedoms for current and future students. The BOG is letting its political preference get in the way of learning at the collegiate level.
These panel members are chosen by the legislature, which is currently dominated by Republicans. The three centers tend to align more with Democratic beliefs than Republican, but none of the centers teach partisanship.
The remedy to this issue is simple; get attention and be heard. Explain to the board that we will not let you take away our freedoms. We will not let you tell us what we can and cannot learn and most importantly, we will not allow your party allegiance to reign over these beloved universities.
Samantha Macpherson Shaw
