GREENSBORO, N.C. — UNC-Greensboro's Chancellor and Provost released a statement amid the controversial Academic Program Review.
There is potential for 19 programs to be cut from the school, which would impact about 200 students.
UNCG's Faculty Senate expressed disapproval for Chancellor Franklin D. Gilliam, Jr. and Provost Debbie Storrs for not consulting the faculty senate at the start of the APR process and said they did not provide a clear rationale for the choice of program closures.
This censure is essentially a stamp of disapproval from the university higher-ups.
It doesn't hold any power other than the faculty senate- the committee in charge of developing policies- making it known to the public they disagree with the chancellor's proposal.
In response, the Chancellor and Provost released the following statement:
"Like colleges and universities across the country, UNC Greensboro faces rapidly changing conditions, from enrollment challenges to shifts in student and regional needs. We’re seizing this moment as an opportunity — a chance to sharpen our focus, align resources with our vision and strategic direction, and identify areas for long-term growth and leadership. Strengthening the University’s financial and academic footing for the next 10 to 20 years can happen only through comprehensive evaluation of our operations.
We have worked within our authority to initiate an Academic Portfolio Review, and multiple levels of the campus community have effectively engaged in the process in the interests of their units and the University. The process has been collaborative, thorough, and transparent, making data available to our community while including diverse and independent analyses across academic units. Further, the deans publicly shared their rationale for their recommendations via meetings and on the Innovation and Reinvention site.
As an institution of higher learning, we expect a diversity of thought, and constructive critiques are welcomed as there is no perfect process. However, these critiques must be based on facts, not distortions, and not on fear but on collective wisdom. To do otherwise is corrosive to the campus community and creates barriers to the way forward. Although without operational consequence, the vote to censure us — as the Chancellor and the Provost — by some members of the Faculty Senate (not a vote of the General Faculty) extends beyond critique. This action is a consequence of mis- and dis-information intended to protect the status quo. Although such an action is a disappointment, we remain undaunted in our commitment to meet the challenges ahead.
We have and will continue to work collaboratively with faculty partners who are dedicated to taking necessary steps for the best interests of the University, its students, and its mission."
WFMY News 2 spoke with students on campus Monday night to get their take.
"Its' been under review and consideration and honestly there are not a lot of people in those majors, said junior Eliza Rocafrte. "But I think it's good people are challenging him and fact-checking him."
Student Eric Nunez Cruz said he thinks ending programs will negatively impact campus.
"In my bias opinion I don't feel like it will do us good in the long run," Nunez Cruz said. "Maybe we don't see it right now but in a few years we may not be an official school anymore."
A final decision on program cuts will be made Feb 1.
The chancellor said it'll take years for the changes to take effect to allow those currently enrolled to finish their programs.
