The UNC Board of Trustees met Wednesday to discuss a variety of topics.
Athletics in the spotlight again
Faculty Chair Jan Boxill commented on a recent CNN article that reported UNC admitted 183 student athletes between 2004 and 2012 who were not college literate:
“UNC is continuing to have to spend a grand deal of time responding to the same abuses…We’re not through talking, obviously. I am sure the faculty are looking to allow the changes and reforms already in place to make sure we provide top education. Most faculty know some students come to us less prepared.. and UNC does its due diligence to provide support.”
UNC Honor Court Changes
Boxill also said that the Honor Court is considering several changes. One resolution under discussion is a way for students to meet with a faculty member rather than go to a hearing board. Another proposal would put an “XF” on a student’s transcript — the X denoting academic misconduct — rather than an F. Students would have an opportunity to get rid of the X after a year, Boxill said.
Data breach response criticized
An online security breach of a UNC server gave the public access to private files of approximately 6,500 employees, former employees and students according to a letter released by the University on Dec. 10.
Employee Forum Chairman Charles Streeter said many of the staff members are angry about the University’s response. He said employees think they should have been notified quicker, and there should be a penalty for the person responsible.
One staff member started a petition for a more accountable University response.
“What’s the process if this happens again?” Streeter said to the board. “There’s a feeling that (Information Technology Services) needs the authority to mandate security initiatives across campus.
“Their sense of security in regards to their data has been lost. The forum isn’t going to let this go.”
Vice Chancellor for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer Chris Kielt said the person responsible — who is still unknown — made an honest mistake.
Development update
Vice Chancellor for Development David Routh reported that total gifts and grants for fiscal year 2013 increased 4 percent, to $159 million.
Routh also said gifts directed to academic areas of the University increased 16 percent — a sign of enthusiasm for UNC’s new leadership, he said.
“I personally think this reflects a renewed sense of optimism about Carol and what Carol’s doing and about the university,” Routh said.
He said that the University, which has a staff of about 270 fundraising employees scattered in different departments, planned to hire two more people for its development office.
Transportation and Parking
BOT member Don Curtis brought up the issue of high parking fees at UNC Hospitals, recently covered by the News and Observer.
Parking at the hospital costs $8 per day without a discounted option for a five or 10-day pass, which Curtis said puts undue strain on patients’ families.
“You’re talking about poor people coming to the hospital and we’re charging them huge parking fees,” Curtis said.
Curtis pointed out that parking is free at Rex Hospital in Raleigh even though, he said, UNC Hospitals are more likely to serve disadvantaged patients.
“We’re taking a black eye on this at a time when we don’t need any more black eyes,” he said.
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