CORRECTION: A previous version of this article incorrectly contextualized the budget discussed at the Advisory Committee meeting. The article has been updated to reflect the correct details about the budget. The Daily Tar Heel apologizes for this error.
In Thursday's Faculty Advisory Committee meeting, Jill Moore, associate professor of public law and government, was announced as the committee's nominee for secretary of the faculty.
Additionally, the committee discussed plans for the fall 2021 semester and the current state of COVID-19 vaccine distribution efforts.
What’s new?
- Vincas Steponaitis' term as the current secretary of the faculty is set to expire in June. The role has never been filled by a woman or a person of color.
- Guskiewicz said the student vaccination clinic on-campus will open on March 31, with 2,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine expected to arrive in the next couple of days.
- “The Johnson & Johnson vaccines only required one dose, which makes it quick and convenient for our students to become vaccinated,” Guskiewicz said. “Especially those that are going to be heading back into their communities at the end of the semester."
- Guskiewicz shared his excitement for the new initiative, Carolina Economic Development Strategy, which will focus on strengthening business in the downtown area of Chapel Hill and its relationship with the school.
- The initiative will be led by Doug Rothwell, executive-in-residence for economic development within the Office of Innovate Carolina.
- Guskiewicz said the University's withdrawal rate for this semester went down 55 percent from where it was last year at this time.
- He said the University had 54,000 applicants for this fall's incoming class, a 20 percent increase from last year.
- “We anticipate that we're likely going to have the largest undergraduate class in our history,” Guskiewicz said. “I have a working group led by Rachel Feldman and a number of the faculty and support staff on campus, that's putting together a report, to help us make sure that we can do this in a sustainable way and a responsible way."
- Lastly, Guskiewicz shared updates regarding a proposed budget announced by Gov. Roy Cooper on March 24.
- Guskiewicz said the budget will include a 5 percent increase in salary for University employees for this year and a 2.5 percent increase for next year, including some one-time bonuses.
What’s next?
The committee plans to meet again on April 22.
