In a subsequent interview with the DTH, Chapman declined to say whether or not she’d spoken with Guskiewicz about the concerns, but emphasized the importance of ensuring that the next provost was the chancellor’s “true choice.”
“It’s just an incredibly important job,” Chapman said. “It’s almost really important that the chancellor works really well with that person so that this is someone they can really trust, that they can talk about difficult situations with.”
It is unclear whether or not Guskiewicz faced pressure to choose Clemens or anyone else specifically. Chapman said she and others involved in the search process signed confidentiality agreements.
The nationwide provost search began June 9, and the search committee, co-chaired by Vice Chancellor for Research Terry Magnuson and College of Arts & Sciences Dean Terry Rhodes, finalized a leadership profile that was sent to the Chancellor.
The Chancellor then makes a recommendation to the BOT, who have final approval as the provost qualifies as a Tier I hire. The BOT met Thursday and voted on personnel items in open session, however those particular items were not disclosed.
Clemens previously served as the interim faculty director for the Program for Public Discourse in 2019, which was accused of having a conservative political leaning and lack of transparency about its funding. At one point, BOG and BOT members were on the Program for Public Discourse’s advisory board, which was also a cause of concern for community members, including some faculty on the UNC chapter of The American Association of University Professors.
The provost search was one of many underway at the University, as it has seen many vacancies in senior leadership since Blouin’s announcement in May.
As Clemens transitions into the role, Amy Locklear Hertel, who currently serves as the chancellor’s chief of staff, will move to a redefined executive vice provost role, according to the announcement. In addition, Christi Hurt, UNC’s senior prevention strategy officer, will become the chancellor’s chief of staff.
“We are in a position to achieve some truly remarkable things at Carolina in the years ahead,” Guskiewicz said in Thursday’s announcement. “I’m proud to be a member of this community and share my appreciation for all that you do on behalf of our great University.”
In a statement to WUNC, Chapman said she stood by her comments in the op-ed published in the DTH.
"I hold Professor Clemens in great esteem and believe he will serve the University well," she said. "It is nonetheless true that he has been the pick of the BOT since the search for a new provost began last summer."
Following days of media outlets, legal experts and others questioning whether or not the BOT vote on Dec. 9 may have violated North Carolina Open Meetings Law, the Board held an emergency meeting on Dec. 14 called by Chairperson David Boliek to redo the vote.
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In the emergency meeting, Boliek said the BOT had been "unfairly accused" of violating the state's Open Meetings Law when it voted to approve Clemens.
Boliek called the emergency meeting, he said, "to immediately end any further attempts to question or challenge the validity of this appointment."
In the Dec. 14 vote, all BOT members present voted yes to approve Clemens as the University's next provost and executive vice chancellor, with the exception of Student Body President Lamar Richards, who voted no.
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