[GAVEL BANGS] >> GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING.

>> I WANT TO WELCOME EVERYBODY HERE.

AND I THINK REPRESENTATIVE WILLIS IS WITH US.

IS HE HERE?

THANK YOU.

AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

I'D ALSO LIKE TO RECOGNIZE OUR MARION DRANE GRAHAM SCHOLARS WHO ARE WITH US TODAY.

I THINK THEY'RE OUT THERE IF YOU'LL STAND.

LET'S SEE, WE'VE GOT ANNA KRZYSZTOFOWICZ FROM UNC CHARLOTTE, JEREMY HUNT FROM UNC PEMBROKE, AND TAYLOR SCOTT FROM NC A&T STATE UNIVERSITY.

THEY'VE BEEN WORKING WITH A MENTOR FROM THE UNC SYSTEM OFFICE DURING AN IMMERSIVE EIGHT-WEEK PROGRAM LEARNING ABOUT PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION IN NORTH CAROLINA.

SO I HOPE IT'S BEEN A GOOD EXPERIENCE FOR YOU.

AND I'D ALSO LIKE THE MINUTES TO REFLECT THAT A LARGE TIME WAS HAD BY ALL AT TOBACCO ROAD LAST NIGHT, AND THE BOARD CHAIR HAD THE HIGHEST SCORE IN SKEEBALL FOR THE EVENING.

SO THAT'S IMPORTANT.

YEAH.

TO DELIVER TODAY'S IMPLICATION, WE HAVE KARINA RODRIGUEZ FROM WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY.

MS. RODRIGUEZ IS A JUNIOR PURSUING A DEGREE IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION AND IS A FIRST-GENERATION STUDENT FROM CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA.

SHE SERVES AS THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS FOR THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION AND HAS BEEN ELECTED AS THE STUDENT BODY VICE PRESIDENT FOR THE UPCOMING ACADEMIC YEAR AT WESTERN CAROLINA.

SO THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.

>> THANK YOU, CHAIR MURPHY.

MAY WE BOW OUR HEADS?

HEAVENLY FATHER, WE COME BEFORE YOU TODAY WITH HEARTS FULL OF GRATITUDE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THE STUDENTS OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.

WE THANK YOU FOR THE WISDOM, STRENGTH, AND GUIDANCE YOU HAVE PROVIDED US WITH THROUGHOUT THIS TERM.

AS WE GATHER HERE TODAY FOR OUR FINAL MEETING, WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE MANY WAYS THAT YOU HAVE BLESSED US AND FOR THE ABILITY TO WORK TOGETHER IN SERVICE FOR OTHERS.

WE ASK FOR YOU TO GRANT US WISDOM TO RECOGNIZE THE VALUE OF EVERY INDIVIDUAL.

WE ASK FOR COMPASSION SO THAT WE ALWAYS ACT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE STUDENTS WE SERVE.

AS WE MOVE FORWARD, MAY WE REMEMBER THE LESSONS LEARNED FROM THIS EXPERIENCE AND MAY WE CONTINUE TO STRIVE TOWARDS JUSTICE, EQUALITY, AND THE WELL-BEING OF ALL.

AS WE NEAR THE CONCLUSION OF THIS TERM, WE ASK FOR YOUR CONTINUED PRESENCE TO GUIDE US IN THE DECISIONS WE MAKE TODAY.

MAY WE LEAVE THIS MEETING KNOWING THAT OUR EFFORTS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO SOMETHING GREATER THAN OURSELVES.

HELP US TO REMEMBER THAT WE HAVE LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE LEADERS TO BUILD UPON.

BLESS THOSE WHO ARE TO COME AND WILL FOLLOW IN OUR FOOTSTEPS.

MAY THEY BE INSPIRED BY A DEEP SENSE OF PURPOSE AND A COMMITMENT TO THE WELL-BEING OF EVERY STUDENT THEY REPRESENT.

WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENCE IN OUR LIVES AND IN OUR WORK.

WE OFFER THIS PRAYER IN YOUR NAME.

AMEN.

>> THANK YOU.

>> SEC.

BURRIS FLOYD, WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?

>> GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.

>> GOOD MORNING.

>> CHAIR MURPHY?

>> HERE.

>> VICE CHAIR BLUE?

>> HERE.

>> DR. BARNES?

>> HERE.

>> MR. BRATLEY?

>> HERE.

>> MR. CAMERON BROWN?

>> PRESENT.

>> MR.

FIRES?

>> MR. CHATTERJEE?

>> YES.

>> MRS.

TOWERS?

>> MR. DAVIS?

>> MR. FORD?

>> MR. FRALEY?

>> HERE.

>> MRS. GREELEY?

>> HERE.

>> MR. HOLTON?

>> HERE.

>> MR. HUTCHINS?

>> HERE.

>> MR. MITCHELL?

>> HERE.

>> MRS. NICHOLS?

>> GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING.

MR. POPE?

>> PRESENT.

>> MR. RAMSEY?

>> PRESENT.

>> MR. SLOAN?

>> PRESENT.

>> MR. WHITE?

>> PRESENT.

>> MR. WILLIFORD?

>> HERE.

>> MADAM CHAIR, YOU HAVE A QUORUM.

>> MADAM CHAIR, I'M HERE AS WELL.

THIS IS JERRY BROWN.

>> OH, OKAY.

>> OKAY.

>> SORRY, MR. BROWN.

>> THANK YOU.

LOOKING AT TODAY'S AGENDA DOES ANYONE HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST OR AN INTEREST THAT WOULD APPEAR AS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST UNDER THE STATE ETHICS ACT.

IF SO PLEASE LET ME KNOW NOW.

AS WE ENTER GRADUATION SEASON, I AM HEARTENED BY STORIES OF STUDENTS WHOSE PATH DID NOT LEAD THEM DIRECTLY FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGE BUT WHO FOUND SUCCESS BY TAKING LESS TRADITIONAL ROUTES TO EARNING A DEGREE.

MARTIN SANCHEZ IS A 44 YEAR OLD STUDENT WITH A WIFE AND TWO DAUGHTERS.

HE SERVED IN THE US ARMY FROM 1998 UNTIL 2022 AND WAS HESITANT TO RETURN TO COLLEGE AFTER RETIRING FROM THE MILITARY.

BUT AFTER MUCH RESEARCH AND CONSIDERATION, MARTIN CHOSE TO ATTEND FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY.

IT WAS CLOSE TO HOME WITH THE DEGREE PROGRAM HE WANTED AND THE PRICE WAS RIGHT.

TODAY MARTIN SPEAKS WARMLY ABOUT FSU AND THE CONNECTIONS HE HAS MADE THERE.

AT FAYETTEVILLE STATE, MARTIN DIDN'T JUST EARN A DEGREE.

HE ALSO FOUND MENTORS, EXTRACURRICULARS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

SUPPORT, HE SAYS, IS SECOND TO NONE.

THIS SPRING, MARTIN WILL GRADUATE WITH A DOUBLE MAJOR IN FINANCE AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND GO ON TO PURSUE HIS MASTER'S DEGREE IN FINANCE AT MY OWN ALMA MATER, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, WILMINGTON.

IN ANOTHER INSPIRING STORY, BRANDON AND MADISON SWALLOW ARE SIBLINGS FROM HAMLET, NORTH CAROLINA, A RICHMOND COUNTY TOWN WITH A POPULATION OF JUST 6042 PEOPLE.

BRANDON WAS BORN WITH MULTIPLE HEALTH CONDITIONS, INCLUDING CEREBRAL PALSY, SCOLIOSIS AND AN OPTIC NERVE CONDITION THAT CAUSES LOW VISION.

HE HAS NEVER LET THESE CHALLENGES LIMIT HIM.

INSTEAD, HE USES THEM TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND FIND HIS OWN WAY TO SUCCESS.

WITH THE INCREDIBLE SUPPORT OF FAMILY AND TEACHERS, BRANDON ENROLLED IN RICHMOND COMMUNITY COLLEGE'S EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL AND EVEN PERSUADED HIS SISTER MADISON TO JOIN HIM.

THERE WERE MANY UPS AND DOWNS, BUT BRANDON AND MADISON ENCOURAGED ONE ANOTHER ALL THE WAY TO THE FINISH LINE, COMPLETING THEIR ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE IN 2022, THEN BOTH SIBLINGS TRANSFERRED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT PEMBROKE TO PURSUE THEIR BACHELORS.

THIS SPRING, BRANDON WILL GRADUATE MAGNA CUM LAUDE WITH A BACHELOR'S IN COMPUTER SCIENCE, AND MADISON WILL GRADUATE SUMMA CUM LAUDE WITH A BACHELOR'S IN ACCOUNTING.

BOTH WILL PURSUE THEIR MASTER'S DEGREES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT GREENSBORO IN THE FALL.

MADISON'S GOAL IS TO BE A CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT, THE THIRD IN HER FAMILY.

BRANDON'S GOAL IS TO WORK IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, HELPING DEVELOP BIG DATA AND ITS ROLE IN SOCIETY.

BRANDON AND MADISON WILL BOTH TELL YOU THEIR ACADEMIC SUCCESS IS DUE TO THE SUPPORT THEY RECEIVED IN SMALLER COMMUNITY-BASED INSTITUTIONS, PLACES LIKE RICHMOND COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND UNC PEMBROKE.

MADISON ESPECIALLY HOLDS ON TO A QUOTE SHE HEARD OVER AND OVER WHILE GROWING UP, "EDUCATION IS THE ONE THING NO ONE CAN TAKE AWAY FROM YOU."

FINALLY, AND POSSIBLY MORE INSPIRING THAN THE REST, IS THE STORY OF NEDRA HOPPS, A 60-YEAR-OLD NURSE WHO SPECIALIZES IN WOUND CARE AND HELPS PATIENTS RECOVER FROM SURGERY.

A DEDICATED MOTHER WHO WORKED HER ENTIRE LIFE TO HELP HER CHILDREN ACHIEVE THEIR EDUCATION GOALS, NEDRA ALWAYS DREAMED OF GOING BACK TO COLLEGE.

WITH THE SUPPORT OF HER CHILDREN, SHE ENROLLED IN NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY'S REGISTERED NURSE TO BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING PROGRAM THROUGH PROJECT KITTY HAWK, THE UNC SYSTEM'S ONLINE EDUCATION PLATFORM.

THIS PAST DECEMBER, SHE FINISHED HER DEGREE BECOMING THE FIRST IN HER FAMILY OF 12 SIBLINGS TO GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE.

HER NEWLY EARNED BACHELOR'S DEGREE WILL ALLOW HER TO TAKE ON A MANAGEMENT ROLE AT HER JOB AND TO MENTOR YOUNGER NURSES WHO ARE JUST BEGINNING THEIR CAREERS.

NEDRA REMEMBERS FEELING UNCERTAIN ON HER FIRST DAY OF CLASS, WORRYING AT FIRST THAT SHE WAS TOO OLD TO HANDLE A COLLEGE COURSE LOAD, BUT HER INSTRUCTOR TOLD HER SOMETHING SHE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER.

THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING A LIFELONG LEARNER.

NEDRA, MARTIN, MADISON AND BRANDON REPRESENT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS IN OUR SYSTEM WHO HAVE PURSUED A DEGREE WHILE JUGGLING OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES.

THESE STUDENTS ARE FROM SMALL TOWNS AND HAVE ATTENDED COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO GET THEIR START.

SOME HAVE SERVED IN OUR MILITARY AND ARE LOOKING FOR A NEW CAREER.

MANY HAVE FULL-TIME JOBS AND FAMILIES.

OTHERS HAVE EXTRAORDINARY PHYSICAL OR MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES.

BUT NO MATTER THEIR PATHWAYS, THESE STUDENTS HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON, A DESIRE TO BUILD ON THEIR EXPERIENCES AND IMPROVE THEIR LIVES THROUGH EDUCATION.

THIS BOARD AND THE UNC SYSTEM HAVE WORKED HARD TO MAKE THAT POSSIBLE.

AND THAT WORK IS SHOWING RETURNS.

I'VE TALKED BEFORE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF SPEEDY INNOVATION AND IMPLEMENTATION TO OUR SYSTEM.

THE STORY OF NEDRA WITH PROJECT KITTY HAWK, MARTIN WITH OPTIMIZED SUPPORT FOR VETERANS, AND MADISON AND BRANDON WITH BETTER COORDINATION BETWEEN THE SYSTEM AND OUR COMMUNITY COLLEGE PARTNERS SHOW THAT OUR WORK ACTUALLY DELIVERS.

TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN, MUCH IS EXPECTED.

AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, OUR STATE LEGISLATURE HAS SET A GOAL OF SEEING TWO MILLION NORTH CAROLINIANS BETWEEN THE AGES 25 AND 44 WITH THE COLLEGE DEGREE OR CREDENTIAL BY 2030.

WE ARE FORTUNATE THAT OUR LEGISLATURE IS UNAFRAID IN FUNDING THE SYSTEM TO MAKE THAT GOAL A REALITY.

AS OF 2023, OUR STATE RECORDED NEARLY 1.7 MILLION SUCH RESIDENTS, UP 15% SINCE 2019.

THIS IS PROGRESS AND IT IS DUE, AND NO SMALL PART, TO THE STRATEGIC WORK OF THE UNC SYSTEM TO IMPROVE STUDENT ACCESS AND SUCCESS FOR BOTH TRADITIONAL AND NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS.

BUT OUR WORK DOES NOT END.

NORTH CAROLINA IS STILL SHORT OF WHERE THE STATE NEEDS TO BE TO MEET ITS GOAL.

BUT STRONG, STEADY, AND STRATEGIC POLICYMAKING, ALONG WITH QUICK, EFFICIENT IMPLEMENTATION OF THAT POLICY, WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE THE NEEDLE.

MUCH OF THIS WORK DOES NOT GARNER HEADLINES.

THE WORK MAY NOT ALWAYS LOOK EXCITING, AND IT WILL NOT ALWAYS GET THE ATTENTION IT DESERVES.

NORTH CAROLINIANS DON'T FOLLOW THE TECHNICAL DETAILS OF IMPROVED CREDIT TRANSFER PROCESSES OR SIMPLIFIED ADMISSIONS PROGRAMS.

THEY MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT THE UNC SYSTEM'S EFFORTS TO WELCOME MORE MILITARY-AFFILIATED STUDENTS OR ABOUT ITS WORK TO REACH MORE ADULT LEARNERS.

THEY'LL LEAVE THAT DETAIL TO US.

BUT I'LL TELL YOU WHAT THEY WILL REMEMBER.

THEY WILL REMEMBER THE STORIES OF OUR STUDENTS, AND THEY WILL REMEMBER A FAST, FRIENDLY TRANSFER PROCESS AND A FLEXIBLE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT BALANCES AGAINST OTHER PRIORITIES LIKE WORK AND FAMILY.

THEY'LL REMEMBER FEELING WELCOME AND SUPPORTED AS PART OF A CAMPUS COMMUNITY WHERE ALL EXPERIENCES AND POINTS OF VIEW ARE WELCOME.

AND THEY'LL REMEMBER THE MENTORSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THAT MAKES THEM SUCCESSFUL BEYOND COLLEGE.

IN THE YEARS TO COME, STUDENTS JUST LIKE NEDRA, MARTIN, BRANDON, AND MADISON AND THEIR FAMILIES WILL CONTINUE TO COUNT ON US TO SET RESPONSIBLE POLICY TO MAKE A COLLEGE EDUCATION AS ATTAINABLE AS POSSIBLE.

SO LET'S FINISH THE ACADEMIC YEAR WELL, AND LET'S CELEBRATE ALL OF OUR GRADUATES THIS COMMENCEMENT SEASON.

THANK YOU.

THAT CONCLUDES MY REMARKS.

I'LL NOW CALL ON PRESIDENT HANS FOR HIS REPORT.

>> INSPIRING, MADAM CHAIR.

THANK YOU.

WELL, REGULAR LISTENERS OF THESE LAST SEVERAL YEARS OF MY BOARD REMARKS, AND THAT INCLUDES MANY PATIENT SOULS IN THIS ROOM, WILL RECOGNIZE MAYBE ONLY THESE PATIENT SOULS IN THIS ROOM.

I DON'T KNOW.

WE'LL RECOGNIZE SOME CONSISTENT THEMES.

FIRST, I BELIEVE HIGHER EDUCATION HAS BEEN AND REMAINS AN ENORMOUS SOURCE OF STRENGTH FOR OUR STATE AND NATION, AS THE CHAIR JUST OUTLINED.

SECOND, THE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION NATIONALLY HAS FALLEN, REFLECTING A BROAD TREND OF WEAKENING TRUST IN THE INSTITUTIONS OF ALL KINDS.

AND FINALLY, THAT WE OWE OUR STUDENTS, OUR CITIZENS, AND FUTURE GENERATIONS AND NORTH CAROLINIANS OUR BEST AND MOST URGENT EFFORT TO FORTIFY THESE CRITICAL ENGINES OF KNOWLEDGE, MOBILITY, AND CULTURE.

IN THE LONG HISTORY OF AMERICAN PUBLIC LIFE, PERIODS OF EASE AND HARMONY ARE THE EXCEPTION, NOT THE RULE.

WE NEED UNIVERSITIES BUILT FOR ALL SEASONS, READY TO THRIVE AND PLAY THEIR PART IN THE GRAND AMERICAN EXPERIMENT.

THERE ARE TWO CRUCIAL, CRUCIAL STEPS FOR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS TO EARN AND MAINTAIN PUBLIC TRUST.

THE FIRST IS TO STAY FOCUSED ON OUR CORE MISSION, TO REMEMBER THE JOB WE'VE BEEN ASKED TO DO AND STAY COMMITTED TO IT.

THE SECOND IS TO EXECUTE WELL ON THAT EDUCATIONAL MISSION.

THAT COMBINATION OF FOCUS AND PERFORMANCE IS WHAT INSPIRES CONFIDENCE AMONG THE PEOPLE WE SERVE.

THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYSTEM HAS DONE WELL WHEN IT COMES TO THE FIRST PART, FOCUS.

THIS BOARD CREATED AND MAINTAINED ONE OF THE MOST DISCIPLINED STRATEGIC PLANS IN ALL OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

A SHORT AND SHARP DOCUMENT THAT DISTILLS OUR PRIORITIES OF AFFORDABILITY, STUDENT SUCCESS AND ON TIME GRADUATION.

WE SET REALISTIC GOALS AND PUT PERFORMANCE IN PLACE AND AS A RESULT WE SEE THE THINGS THAT MATTER TO STUDENT AND STUDENTS AND OUR STATE.

WE'VE ALSO TAKEN STEPS TO MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS, AGAIN, TO THE FOCUS.

OUR EARLY ADOPTION OF INSTITUTIONAL NEUTRALITY HAS ALLOWED CAMPUS LEADERS TO FOCUS ON EDUCATIONAL ROLLS INSTEAD OF CHASING THE NEWS CYCLE.

CONSISTENT ADVOCACY FOR FREE SPEECH HAS CREATED OPEN INQUIRY IN A CULTURE OF CENSORSHIP AND WE REINFORCED OUR MANDATE TO SERVE ALL NORTH CAROLINIANS REGARDLESS OF BACKGROUNDS OR BELIEFS.

ON EVERY FRONT WE ARE STRONGER AND BETTER PREPARED THAN WE WERE A FEW YEARS AGO.

I COMMEND THE BOARD FOR ITS FORESIGHT AND COMMITMENT.

I'M PROUD TO SAY THE UNC SYSTEM WAS AHEAD OF THE CURVE ON THESE CRITICAL QUESTIONS THAT SO MANY OTHER UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE RIGHT NOW STRUGGLING WITH.

THAT'S THE FOCUS SIDE.

DAY-TO-DAY, THE COMPASSION OF INSTITUTIONS TO DELIVER THE SERVICES THEY PROMISE, EFFICIENTLY ACHIEVE THE GOALS WE HAVE SET, THERE, WE HAVE WORK TO DO.

FOR ALL OF THE TRADITIONAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA FOCUS ON POLITICS AND IVY LEAGUE AND CONTROVERSIES NEAR OR FAR THAT WE MAY OR MAY NOT REMEMBER NEXT WEEK, AND FOR ALL OF THE REAL CONCERN ABOUT THE STRATEGIC CHALLENGES FACING HIGHER EDUCATION, THE SINGLE MOST HIGHEST COMPLAINT FROM FACULTY AND STAFF ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY IS THAT IT'S PAINFULLY HARD TO GET THINGS DONE.

I'M THINKING OF THE TALENT WE MISSED BECAUSE IT TAKES MONTHS, MANY MONTHS IN SOME CASES, TO MAKE A HIRE.

I'M THINKING OF HOW MANY INCOME NORTH CAROLINA BUSINESSES ARE WILLING TO WORK WITH US BECAUSE OF HOW THEY GET PAID AND BEING DRAWN TO ACADEMIC LIFE FOR RESEARCH AND DISCOVER AND FIND INSTEAD THEIR TIME IS EATEN UP WITH PAPERWORK AND COMPLIANCE.

AS WE STARE DOWN A FUTURE OF FEWER TRADITIONAL AGED STUDENTS, I'M THINKING OF ALL OF THE PROMISING YOUNG PEOPLE, INCLUDING THE ONES WE MET YESTERDAY THAT WE DISCOURAGED WITH DIFFICULT PROCESSES TO FULLY ACCESS OUR PUBLIC SIMPLY PUT, I DON'T THINK WE CAN THRIVE IN THE DECADES TO COME IF WE DON'T RETHINK THE WAY WE DO BUSINESS.

OUR MISSION IS TIMELESS, BUT TOO OFTEN OUR PROCEDURES FEEL TIMELESS AND NOT IN A HEALTHY WAY.

LAST YEAR ON A VISIT TO ITALY, I LEARNED ABOUT THE LASAGNA ANALOGY IN ARCHAEOLOGY.

IT REFERS TO ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES LIKE A LASAGNA HAVE DIFFERENT PERIODS AND EVENTS EACH REPRESENTING LAYERS OF HISTORY.

THEY DIG AND UNCOVER ARTIFACTS AND PRACTICES.

THIS CAN ALSO APPLY TO UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES WHERE LAYERS OF LASAGNA ARE LAID ONE ON TOP OF THE OTHER TO MANEUVER AROUND A PERSON OF PREVIOUS IDEA ONLY LEADING TO MORE COMPLEXITY.

MANY COMMENTATORS HAVE LAMENTED THE BUREAUCRATIC BEHAVIOR OF AMERICAN LIFE.

HEALTHCARE IS ONE OF THOSE.

IT'S EXPENSIVE, CONFUSING, DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE WITHOUT HELP.

IT'S NOT THAT GROWING BUREAUCRACIES COST A LOT OF MONEY, THEY SAP DRIVE WITH TOO MANY LAYERS AND DUPLICATION.

THEY MAKE IT HARDER FOR INSTITUTIONS LIKE THE UNIVERSITY TO ACCOMPLISH THE GRAND DESIGNS THAT WE EXPECT OF THEM, WHICH IN TURN UNDERMINES CONFIDENCE.

AS A RESULT, I WILL BE DIRECTING IN THE COMING MONTHS A REDUCTION IN ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS AT THOSE INSTITUTIONS WHERE SPENDING GROWTH IS OUT PACING STATE SALARY ADJUSTMENTS AND INCREASES OR DECLINES IN STUDENT CREDIT HOURS.

I'M ASKING MY TEAM AND CHANCELLORS TO LOOK AT FEDERAL, STATE AND SYSTEM RULES THAT UNDULY BURDEN THE UNIVERSITY WITHOUT CORRESPONDING BENEFITS SO WE CAN SEEK A M MODICUM OF RELIEF.

THE GOAL OF THE EFFORT IS TO REBALANCE THE UNIVERSITY BACK TO CORE MISSIONS OF TEACHING, RESEARCH AND PUBLIC SERVICE AND TO REMOVE ACCOMPANYING ADMINISTRATIVE BURDENS THAT MAKE IT HARD FOR US TO THRIVE.

OUR PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES SHOULD BE VIBRANT, CREATIVE PLACES TO WORK, TEACH AND DISCOVER.

WE WANT THEM TO BE THE KIND OF DYNAMIC PLACES THAT REWARD INNOVATION.

THAT REQUIRES TENDING THE GARDEN IN ANY LARGE, COLLABORATIVE AND SUBSIDIZED ORGANIZATION NOW AND THEN.

IF THERE ARE POLICIES THAT NEED CHANGING, LET'S CHANGE THEM.

IF THERE ARE REGULATIONS THAT NEED REFORM, LET'S REFORM THEM.

IF THERE ARE COMPLIANCE REGIMES THAT HAVE OUT LIVED THEIR USEFULNESS, LET'S RETIRE THEM.

FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS ALONE ARE ESTIMATED TO ADD 10% TO THE OVERALL COST OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

10%.

LET'S BE MINDFUL AS WELL OF HOW SYSTEM LEVEL DIRECTIVES ADD TO THIS LOAD AS WELL.

OUR CAMPUS LEADERS HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB OF KEEPING COSTS DOWN, WHICH IS ONE REASON THE BOARD HAS BEEN ABLE TO KEEP TUITION FLAT NINE YEARS IN A ROW WHILE CONTINUING TO DELIVER A HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION.

I'M NOT LOOKING AT THIS A AS A WAY TO CUT, BUT A WAY TO REFOCUS.

MY INTENTION IS THAT THE MONEY BE REDIRECTED TO THE PERFORMANCE GOALS THE BOARD HAS IDENTIFIED FOR US TO ACHIEVE.

BUREAUCRACY AND ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISMS ARE ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO MANAGE THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF ANY LARGE ORGANIZATION.

WE ALL KNOW THIS.

BUT TOO MUCH SLOWS OUR RESPONSE TO CHANGE AND CAN GUM UP THE WORKS.

THE PACE OF CHANGE IS ONLY ACCELERATING.

IT'S NOT SLOWING THANKS TO POWERFUL WAVES ON THE ECONOMY AND DEMOG ANY AND TECHNOLOGY IN SOCIETY, WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT.

THE UNIVERSITY MUST OPERATE MORE EFFICIENTLY.

MUST FOCUS ON THE MISSION, EXECUTE ON THE MISSION AND AVOID OVERREACHING THE MISSION AND SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY FROM THE USER EXPERIENCE LEVEL.

IRONICALLY LOWER ADMINISTRATIVE SPENDING MAY HELP US DO EXACTLY THAT.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

>> MADAM CHAIR: THANK YOU.

THAT'S GOOD.

THAT TRAIN IS LOUD.

WE'LL NOW CONSIDER THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS LISTED AS ITEM FIVE ON TODAY'S AGENDA.

ARE THERE ANY ITEMS MEMBERS OF THE BOARD WISH TO REMOVE FOR DISCUSSION?

HEARING NONE, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION ITEMS BY CONSENT.

>> MOTION.

>> SECOND.

>> DISCUSSION OR DEBATE?

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

OPPOSED?

OKAY, MOTION CARRIES.

I'LL NOW -- I'M GOING TO CALL ON MR. BROWN FOR THE REPORT OF ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT GOVERNMENTS.

>> MR. BROWN: GOOD MORNING, STUDENTS, CHAIR MURPHY, VICE-CHAIR BLUE AND SECRETARY BURRIS-FLOYD, GOVERNORS, PRESIDENT HANS AND CHANCELLORS AND >> GUEST: GUESTS OF THE NORTH CAROLINA UNIVERSITY SYSTEM.

I'M HERE FOR STUDENT GOVERNMENTS AND THE STUDENT MEMBER OF THE UNC BOARD OF GOVERNORS.

WE HAVE TO ASK OURSELVES, WHY ARE WE HERE?

WHAT DO WE HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH WE HAVE IN THE TEMPORARY POSITIONS?

I ASKED MYSELF MANY QUESTIONS THROUGHOUT THE SERVICE.

I HAVE COME TO UNDERSTAND THAT MY ROLE IS TO BUILD A BRIDGE, ONE THAT CONNECTS STUDENTS TO THE UNC SYSTEM.

IT MAY BE SYMBOLIC, BUT IT REPRESENTS STUDENTS AND LEADERSHIP OF THE INSTITUTIONS.

BUILDING IT REQUIRES TRUST, COMMITMENT AND HARD WORK.

IT REQUIRES UNDERSTANDING THE REAL ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED, AND IT CAN'T BE BUILT ALONE.

IT DEMANDS COLLABORATION TO ENSURE IT ENDURES EVEN DURING DIFFICULT TIMES.

THRITHROUGHOUT MY TERM I HAVE WORKED WITH THE MOST TALENTED INDIVIDUALS I MAY EVER MEET FROM FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS TO CHANCELLORS TO STUDENTS ACROSS THE INSTITUTIONS SERVING THROUGH THE ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT GOVERNMENTS.

I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH.

I'M GRATEFUL TO EACH OF YOU FOR ELEVATING THE STUDENT VOICE.

ON OUR 25 30 STRATEGIC PLAN, WORKING WITH CHAIR MITCHELL TO PASS POLICY TO PROTECT FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS AND CAMPUS INTEGRITY.

SPEAKING WITH PRESIDENT HANTS HANS ABOUT THE FUTURE, I FEEL ENCOURAGED.

I'M REMINDING YOU THAT THEY ARE AROUND US.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, JALIA AND ALLISON RECEIVED DEATH THREATS AND VIOLENT LETTERS BECAUSE WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY THAT TOO OFTEN LACKS EMPATHY, TRUTH AND BASIC DECENCY.

WHAT WE ARE AS A UNIVERSITY -- WHAT ARE WE AS A UNIVERSITY IF WE CAN'T CREATE CLASSROOMS WHERE ALL IDEAS ARE RESPECTED, PROTESTS ARE SAFE FOR ALL SIDES AND CRITICAL THINKING IS ENCOURAGED OVER TRIBALISM.

WE MUST REMEMBER OUR MOTTO -- LIGHT AND LIBERTY.

TAKEN TOGETHER THE EXAMPLES PAINT A PICTURE OF A UNIVERSITY SYSTEM AT A CROSSWORDS CHOOSING BETWEEN PRINCIPLE AND POLITICS.

IT COULD BE NAMED AFTER INDIVIDUALS WITH CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS, WE MUST ASK OURSELVES WHAT VALUES ARE WE PROMOTING.

THEY ARE CONNECTED AND RAISE A QUESTION, ARE WE SAFEGUARDING THE INTEGRITY OF INSTITUTIONS OR ALLOWING THEM TO BE TOOLS OF PARTISANSHIP?

WHAT DO WE BECOME WHEN STUDENTS ARE DENIED ACCESS TO CAMPUS BECAUSE OF WHO THEY ARE AND WHERE THEY COME FROM.

ARE WE ALLOWED TO EXCLUDE PEOPLE BASED ON POWER OR GIVE THEM THE PURSUIT OF EDUCATION?

I ASK YOU TO IMAGINE A FUTURE WHERE YOUR OWN CHILD IS DENIED KNOWLEDGE, DENIED TRUTH BECAUSE WE FAILED TO ACT.

DESPITE THE CHALLENGES, I'M FILLED WITH HOPE.

NOT BECAUSE I'M LEAVING THE POSITION BUT BECAUSE OF WHO COMES NEXT.

I'M THE PAST.

THAT IS NOT A SELF-DEPRECIATING COMMENT, IT'S A RECOGNITION THAT LEADERSHIP MUST INVOLVE.

THIS GIVES US LESSONS, BUT THE FUTURE EXCITES ME MOST.

TJAVIER WILL BE THE NEXT STUDENT PRESIDENT.

I MET HIM TWO YEARS AGO.

I DIDN'T KNOW HIM WELL.

I KNEW HE CARED.

I WOULD CHOOSE TO SUPPORT HIM RATHER THAN RUN AGAINST HIM.

I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE LOST.

HE LISTENS, HE WORKS HARD, AND HE BELIEVES IN BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER NOT PUSHING THEM APART.

OUR STUDENT SEAT WILL BE IN GOOD HANDS.

AS I DEPART, I'M FILLED WITH PRIDE.

THE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM COMMITMENT THAT EVERY STUDENT HAS ACCESS TO THE OPPORTUNITY.

CHAIR MURPHY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR GUIDANCE.

VICE-CHAIR BLUE AND SECRETARY BURRIS-FLOYD, THANK YOU FOR WELCOMING ME TO THE SPACE.

I'M GRATEFUL TO ALL OF YOU.

PRESIDENT HANS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

YOU HAVE BROUGHT IN CAPABLE CHANCELLORS TO HAVE A STRONG IMPACT ON THE SYSTEM.

I THANK YOU FOR THAT.

CHANCELLORS, YOUR JOBS ARE NOT EASY -- DUH.

YOUR ADVOCACY SHOWS DEDICATION AND I'M THANKFUL FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO CAMPUSES.

TO FACULTY AND STAFF, YOU ARE THE BACKBONE OF THE SYSTEM.

MUCH OF YOUR WORK GOES UNRECOGNIZED.

WITHOUT YOU, NONE OF THIS WOULD BE POSSIBLE.

I THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF STUDENTS.

TO KIM MITCHELL, I KNOW SHE'S NOT HERE.

THANK YOU FOR THE WORK ENSURES STUDENTS HAVE A VOICE.

YOUR COMMITMENT TO ACCESSIBILITY AND AFFORDABILITY KEEPS THIS MISSION ALIVE.

TO MY EXECUTIVE TEAM, THANK YOU FOR STANDING BESIDE ME.

BECAUSE OF YOU, WE PROVIDED $75,000 TO CAMPUSES AFFECTED BY HURRICANE HELENE, STREAMLINE THE ORGANIZATION AND PLAN FOR ADVOCACY EFFORTS.

I REMAIN COMMITTED SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF THIS STATE.

AS A NATIVE NORTH CAROLINIAN, I UNDER STEWARDSHIP.

MY WORK WILL ONLY EVOLVE.

TO ALL OF YOU, THANK YOU FOR CARING ABOUT STUDENTS.

THE WORK YOU DO MATTERS.

REMEMBER TO INCLUDE STUDENTS, COLLABORATE WITH US AND EMPOWER US.

WITH THAT, I CONCLUDE MY FINAL REMARKS.

THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> MADAM CHAIR: CAMERON, YOU HAVE BEEN A JOY TO WORK WITH.

YOUR PRESENCE ON THE BOARD HELPS US REMEMBER OUR WORK IS FOR THE STUDENTS.

I HOPE THAT WHEN YOU LOOK BACK, YOU WILL THINK OF THIS AS A FUN TIME AND A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE FOR YOU.

THANK YOU.

MAYBE YOU CAN LAUGH AT GOVERNOR BYER'S JOKES DOWN THE ROAD.

MAYBE THERE WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THAT.

OKAY, LET'S MOVE ON ALONG WITH THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND FINANCE.

MR. BRADLEY.

>> MR. BRADLEY: THANK YOU, CHAIR MURRAY.

DURING THE REGULAR MEETING YESTERDAY THE PRESENTATIONS ON THE 2023-24 CONSOLIDATED REPORT AND 2023 INVENTORY AND SPACE UTILIZATION REPORT FROM JENNIFER HEY GOODE.

THE FULL DETAILS OF THE REPORT ARE AVAILABLE ONBOARD EFFECT, INFORMATION ONLY.

WHILE THE FISCAL 24 FINISHED STRONG, WE'LL PUSH FOR STRONGER CONDITIONS.

ANOTHER MEASURE OF WHAT PRESIDENT HANS WAS TALKING ABOUT FOR THE FUTURE.

NEXT, AN ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY BUY LEASE FOR MOUNTAIN RIDGE APARTMENTS AND NEW STUDENT COMPLEX IN BOONE, NORTH CAROLINA.

FINALLY, VICE PRESIDENT KATHRYN LAND PRESENTED THE 175.25 MILLION, UNC SKIFF R AND R FUNDS IN THE MATERIALS WHICH THE COMMITTEE APPROVED.

THE LAST TWO ITEMS WERE APPROVED ON THE CON SINT AGENDA.

THE COMMITTEE REMOVED AND APPROVED SEVEN ITEMS INCLUDED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA THAT THE BOARD APPROVED, AUTHORIZATION OF THE 25-26 SPECIAL TUITION RATES FOR UNC GREENSBORO.

AUTHORIZATION FOR THE SALE OF SPECIAL OBLIGATION BONDS, AUTHORIZATION OF THREE CAPITAL PROJECTS AT TWO INSTITUTIONS AND FIVE INCREASED OR CHANGED AT FOUR INSTITUTIONS.

AND FINALLY, NC STATE TO DEMOLISH THE COUNCIL BUILDING WHICH I NOTE THEY ACQUIRED BUT NEVER USED.

NOW WE ARE TEARING IT DOWN.

BEFORE I FINISH, THERE ARE MATERIALS ABOUT THE STAFF ASSEMBLY SCHOLARSHIP GOLF TOURNAMENT COMING UP.

THERE ARE MATERIALS IN THE BOOKLET THAT TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE SCHOLARSHIP WINNER, WHICH IS WHY I'LL ADVOCATE AGAIN ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD THAT WE SUPPORT THIS AND TALK ABOUT IT MORE AFTER MISS HILL HAS HER PRESENTATION.

THANK YOU, CHAIR MURPHY.

THAT CONCLUDES MY REMARKS.

>> MADAM CHAIR: MR. HUTCHENS WILL YOU PRESENT THE REPORT ON EDUCATIONAL PLANNING, POLICIES AND PROGRAMS.

>> IT WOULD BE MY PLEASURE TO DO SO.

WE BEGAN THE MEETING ON POLICIES AND PROGRAMS WITH DR. DAVID ENGLISH WHO GAVE US AN UPDATE ON THE AFFAIRS ACROSS THE 17UNC SYSTEMS INCLUDING A TRANSITION POST SECONDARY PROGRAMS REPORT PRESENT TODAY THE JOINT EDUCATION OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.

WE THEN HAD THE HONOR OF WELCOMING ONE OF OUR FORMER COLLEAGUES ROBERTS TO TALK ABOUT THE ADMISSION PROCESS AT UNC.

DURING THIS TIME OF YEAR, I'M SURE MOST OF YOU OR SOME OF YOU OR ALL OF YOU HAVE HAD INQUIRIES FROM CONCERNED PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS, FRIENDS ABOUT THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS, NOT UNDERSTANDING IT, NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY IT TAKES SO LONG, NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY THEIR KIDS CAN'T GET IN.

CHANCELLOR ROBERTS GAVE US A LOT OF INFORMATION ABOUT WHY THAT IS T THE CASE, NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH IS APPLICANTS SPEAKING ABOUT UNC, LAST YEAR 77,000 APPLICATIONS THIS YEAR 85,000 PLUS.

LAST YEAR, 77% OF THOSE ADMITTED TOP 10%, 77% PLUS OR MINUS STRAIGHT A'S THEIR ENTIRE CAREER.

THAT'S WHY.

HE EXPLAINED TO US WHAT MAKES UP THE PROCESS, THE CONSIDERATION OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE, CHARACTER TRAITS, ACTIVITY, PERSONAL STATEMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

HE STRESSED THAT THE INCREASING APPLICATION POOL IS AN ASSET, TESTAMENT OF LONG STANDING IN THE UNIVERSITY.

WE ARE APPRECIATE THAT THEY TOOK TYKE TO VISIT US AND FOR THE INFORMATION BROUGHT TO US.

WE MOVED ON FROM THERE TO A PRESENTATION PROVIDING UPDATES ON THE NC COLLEGE CONNECT, EXPANDING ACCESS AND MAKING IT EASIER FOR STUDENTS TO QUALIFY TO RECEIVE ADMISSION OFFERS TO PARTICIPATING UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES.

IN THE NEXT PHASE, NC COLLEGE CONNECT EXPANDS TO INCLUDE INSTITUTIONS AND CONTINUES THE GOAL TO KEEP QUALIFIED STUDENTS IN NORTH CAROLINA.

FROM THERE WE HEARD FROM MR. DANIEL HARRISON PRESENTING THE PRODUCTIVITY REVIEW BASED ON REVISED REQUIREMENTS, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THERE IS STUDENT DEMAND AND STUDENT RETURN ON INVESTMENTS, THE IDEAS INCORPORATED INTO OUR UNIVERSITY GOVERNANCE.

THIS REPORT WAS APPROVED BY OUR COMMITTEE AND THIS BOARD ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

LASTLY, THERE WAS BACKGROUND IN OVER VIEW OF PEER STUDY AND LIST BEING UPDATED.

FOR EACH OF THE 16 CONSTITUENT UNIVERSITIES, USUALLY A COLLABORATIVE DATA-DRIVEN PROCESS.

THIS PROVIDES A FRAMEWORK FOR BENCHMARKING AND COMPARING OUTCOMES ACROSS SIMILAR UNIVERSITIES.

SHE DID NOT PRESENT A LIST OF THOSE UNIVERSITIES, BUT THAT'S COMING UP IN THE NEXT MEETING NEXT MONTH.

THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT UNLESS THERE ARE QUESTIONS, I'LL BE QUIET.

>> CHAIR: ANY QUESTIONS?

MRS. COWARD, WOULD YOU PRESENT THE REPORT ON THE COMMITTEE OF UNIVERSITY PERSONNEL?

>> MRS. COWARD: PRESIDENT HANS AND UNC FAMILY, I WANT TO TAKE A MINUTE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE 68UNC STAFF ASSEMBLY DELEGATES AND 12 COMMITTEE MEMBERS THAT TOGETHER MAKE UP THE BODY OF THE UNC SYSTEM STAFF ASSEMBLY.

THESE ARE MY COLLEAGUES AND MANY OF THEM HAVE BECOME MY VERY DEAR FRIENDS.

HERE IS HOW THE BODY IS FORMED.

FOUR DELEGATES ARE ELECTED FROM EACH OF THE 17 CAMPUSES, AND THEY IN TURN ELECT THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

AS NOTED ON THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM WEBSITE, THE STAFF ASSEMBLY SERVES IN PARALLEL WITH THE FACULTY ASSEMBLY AND THE ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT GOVERNMENTS TO ADDRESS CONCERNS AND INTERESTS OF INDIVIDUAL INSTITUTIONS AND THIS SYSTEM.

THE STAFF ASSEMBLY HAS REPUBLIC REPUTATION FROM EACH INSTITUTION FOR A REASON.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS SPACE TO DISCUSS ISSUES FROM EVERY CORNER OF THE STATE AND NO ONE INSTITUTION CARRIES MORE WEIGHT THAN THE OTHER.

THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF SHARED GOVERNANCE, AND WE ARE PROUD TO BE PART OF THE PROCESS OF EDUCATING STUDENTS IN THE GREAT STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALLOWING US TO SERVE IN THIS CAPACITY.

THIS CAN BE A MESSY PROCESS.

SOMETIMES WE GET PASSIONATE AND HEATED -- IMAGINE THAT, AND SOMETIMES WHAT WE ADVOCATE FOR DOESN'T MAKE IT INTO THE WORK THAT WE DO, BUT WE ALWAYS COME TO THE TABLE WITH A DESIRE TO MAKE OUR INSTITUTIONS BETTER.

WE HAVE AN INCREDIBLY STRONG SENSE OF PURPOSE AND DIRECTION.

HOWEVER, I DON'T HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT STRONG FORCES RIGHT NOW GIVE US PAUSE.

SOME OF US ARE WORRIED ABOUT HOW WE WILL SUSTAIN OUR RESEARCH.

SOME OF US ARE WORRIED IF STUDENTS WILL STILL HAVE THE SAME OPTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO FINANCIAL AID.

SOME OF US ARE WORRIED ABOUT OUR FUNDING AND STAFFING LEVELS.

SOME OF US ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE RISING COST OF ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING.

IT MIGHT FORCE US TO LEAVE THE JOBS WE LOVE AND ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT, FOR OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE MORE SUSTAINABLE.

NEARLY ALL OF US ARE WORRIED ABOUT SOMETHING.

THE EMOTIONAL BURDEN THAT CARRIES IS HEAVY.

WE WANT A SENSE OF HOPE AND SECURITY.

WE WANT TO KNOW THAT OUR EFFORTS ARE APPRECIATED AND THAT WE ARE VALUED AND THAT WE ARE FIGHTING FOR -- WHAT WE ARE FIGHTING FOR WILL REMAIN.

LAST WEEK, THROUGH MANY OF THE NEWS OUTLETS, IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT 2/3 OF THE STAFF OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ARE EXPECTED TO BE LAID OFF.

I QUOTE FROM THE CBS NEWS WEBSITE MARCH 31ST, TEAMS FOR THE CENTER OF DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION, OVERSEE PROGRAMS AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS EXPECTED TO BE IMPACTED FROM A NATIONAL REGISTRY TO STUDY CANCER RATES IN FIREFIGHTERS TO A PROGRAM TO MONITOR AND TREAT SICKENED PEOPLE DURING THE RESCUE AND CLEANUP OF SEPTEMBER 11TH TERRORIST ATTACKS.

AS I READ THOSE WORDS, I FELT AS THOUGH I HAD BEEN PUNCHED.

I AM FAMILIAR WITH THE RESEARCH DONE TO STUDY CANCER RATES IN FIREFIGHTERS AS SOME OF THIS WORK IS DONE IN MY OWN DEPARTMENT.

THIS IS NOBLE AND IMPORTANT RESEARCH, AND I COULDN'T HELP BUT FEELING LIKE WE WERE ABANDONING THE BRAVE FOLKS WHO WORK SO HARD TO KEEP US SAFE.

I WILL NOT LIE TO YOU HERE TODAY.

I BROKE DOWN AND I CRIED AT MY DESK.

MY HEART IS STILL BROKEN BY THIS NEWS.

BUT LIKE MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES, I FINISHED MY DAY.

I WENT HOME TO MY HUSBAND AND MY DOGS AND TRIED TO RECHARGE FOR A VERY BUSY WEEK AHEAD.

NO DISRESPECT TO MY HUSBAND BUT AS CHARLES SCHULTZ ONCE SAID, HAPPINESS IS A WARM PUPPY.

THAT'S WHAT STAFF MEMBERS DO.

WE BELIEVE IN OUR WORK.

WE BELIEVE THAT WE CAN HELP IMPROVE OUR WORLD THROUGH THE PROJECTS, RESEARCH AND EDUCATION THAT TAKES PLACE IN OUR DEPARTMENTS AND OUR INSTITUTIONS.

SO, WHEN WE FEEL DEFEATED OR DEPRESSED, WE FIND WAYS TO HOLD EACH OTHER UP, TO ELEVATE EACH OTHER AND TO CONTINUE TO SERVE THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA WITH LOVE, GUTS AND PASSION.

IT IS WHAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO DO.

IT'S WHAT SERVANT LEADERSHIP IS ALL ABOUT.

ONE WAY IS TO AWARD YEARLY AT LEAST ONE SCHOLARSHIP PER INSTITUTION TO A MUCH DESERVING STAFF MEMBER.

OUR FUNDING IS RAISED BY HOLDING THE CHANCELLOR CUP GOLF TOURNAMENT, OUR ONE BIG EVENT OF THE YEAR.

RECENTLY, THE ASSEMBLY CAME TOGETHER TO DECIDE WHERE TO HOLD THIS EVENT.

WE HAD TWO VERY STRONG SUBMISSIONS, EQUAL IN COST, EQUAL IN AMENITIES, EQUAL IN ALMOST EVERY WAY.

THERE IS A DEBATE.

THERE WERE STRONG OPINIONS AND ARGUMENTS FOR BOTH.

SOMETHING EMERGED IN THE DISCUSSION THAT RESONATED WITH NEARLY EVERYONE -- THERE WAS A CAMPUS THAT NEEDED MORE HOPE AND MORE SUPPORT.

THAT CAMPUS AND THOSE EMPLOYEES NEEDED TO EXPERIENCE A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AFTER A DEVASTATING LOSS TO THEIR INSTITUTION, THEIR SURROUNDINGS, THEIR NEIGHBORS, THEIR FRIENDS, THE WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY AND WESTERN PART OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA NEEDED OUR SUPPORT.

IN THE SPIRIT OF SERVANT LEADERSHIP, WE DECIDED TO RALLY AROUND OUR WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY COLLEAGUES, AND WE CHOSE THEM.

THIS IS WHAT STAFF MEMBERS DO.

THIS IS WHAT THE STAFF ASSEMBLY DOES THROUGH OUR SYSTEM OF SHARED GOVERNANCE, WE CARRIED OUT OUR MISSION OF CONCERNS AND INTERESTS OF AN INDIVIDUAL INSTITUTION AND THE SYSTEM AND IN THIS PROCESS, WE SUPPORTED THE ONES MOST IN NEED.

NO ONE CAMPUS CARRIED MORE WEIGHT THAN ANY OTHER.

THERE WERE NO BIG "IS" OR LITTLE US.

U '.

IT WAS A DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AND I WAS PROUD TO BE PART OF IT.

JOIN US SEPTEMBER 27TH, ALMOST A YEAR TO THE DAY AFTER THE DEVASTATING FLOODS, TO COME TOGETHER, BUILD COMMUNITY, MAKE NEW FRIENDS AND VISIT OLD ONES AND SUPPORT THE ONLY STAFF ASSEMBLY SCHOLARSHIP FOR STAFF MEMBERS THROUGHOUT THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM.

WE THANK THE ROISER FAMILY AND HONOR THE MEMORY OF JANET ROISER BRINGING FOLKS TOGETHER NOT ONLY TO RAISE MONEY BUT ELEVATE EACH OTHER, PROVIDE EACH OTHER WITH HOPE AND SECURITY AND LET THEM KNOW WE APPRECIATE THEM AND THEY ARE VALUED.

AS THE WORDS OF MILO ANGELO REMINDS US, EVERY STORM RUNS OUT OF RAIN AND WE'LL BE IN WESTERN CAROLINA TO REBUILD THE COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT THE ECONOMY AFTER STORM HELENE RAGED AND THEN RAN OUT OF RAIN.

THERE IS A PACKET IN FRONT OF YOU THAT GIVES YOU ALL OF THE INFORMATION THAT YOU NEED TO PARTICIPATE OR MAKE A DONATION.

EITHER WAY, WE THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR JOINING US IN THIS EFFORT.

THANK YOU, CHAIR BRADLEY, FORGIVING ME THAT PREFACE, AND WITH THAT, I HUMBLY CONCLUDE MY WASHINGS.

>> CHAIR: THANK YOU FOR YOUR REPORT AND YOUR SERVICE.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

YOU HEARD THE DATE, SEPTEMBER 27TH.

YOU HAVE TIME TO WORK ON YOUR GOLF GAME.

FOR SOME OF US, WE MIGHT NEED MORE TIME THAN THAT.

MR. MITCHELL, THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON UNIVERSITY GOVERNANCE.

>> THANK YOU, CHAIR MURPHY.

YESTERDAY WE APPROVED THE APPOINTMENT OF KATHRYN, BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION IS IN THE BOARD MATERIALS.

ON BEHALF OF GOVERNANCE I MOVE TO APPOINT HER TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEE, ENDING JUNE 30TH, 2028.

>> MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, YOU HAVE HEARD THE MOTION.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION OR DEBATE?

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED?

MOTION CARRIES.

>> EVERY TWO YEARS ONE HALF OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS ELECTED BOARD TRUSTEE POSITION REQUIRE NEW ELECTS OR REELECTION.

TODAY WE HAVE THE FOLLOWING APPOINTMENTS BEFORE YOU.

ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL ENVIRONMENT, NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS, NC STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTH CAROLINA CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL OF THE ARTS, WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA UNIVERSITY AND WINSTON SALEM.

BIOS FOR EACH ARE IN YOUR MATERIALS.

THE VOTE IS ON A WHOLE GROUP NOT INDIVIDUAL NOMINEES OR INSTITUTIONS.

I ASK IF ANY MEMBER WISHES TO VOTE ON A PERSONAL INSTITUTION SEPARATELY.

HE OR SHE SPEAKS UP NOW.

IF NOT, I MOVE WE PROCEED AS OUTLINED.

>> MEMBERS, YOU HAVE HEARD THE MOTION.

DISCUSSION OR DEBATE?

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE?

OPPOSED?

MOTION CARRIES.

>> I MOVE THAT THE BOARD APPOINT THE SLATE OF INDIVIDUALS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED IN THE BOARD FER MATERIALS.

>> DID I DO SOMETHING WRONG?

>> DO IT AGAIN FOR US.

>> SORRY, THERE IS A LOT GOING ON.

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, YOU HAVE HEARD THE MOTION.

IS THERE DISCUSSION OR DEBATE?

ALL IN FAVOR INDICATE BY SAYING AYE.

>> AYE.

>> POARSED?

OPPOSED?

DID I GET IT RIGHT?

>> YOU GOT IT RIGHT.

IT TEMPORARILY APPOINTS THE CLEARED SENIOR MANAGEMENT OFFICIAL FOR NC STATE UNIVERSITY.

THIS RESOLUTION WAS APPROVED ON TODAY'S CONSENT GAINED.

THAT CONCLUDES MY REMARKS.

>> WOULD YOU PLEASE PRESENT THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS?

>> THANK YOU, CHAIR MURPHY.

DURING THE COMMITTEE MEETING YESTERDAY, WE RECEIVED UPDATES FROM MILITARY AFFAIRS STAFF ON THE UNC SYSTEM EFFORTS TO SUPPORT MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS AND FAMILIES ACROSS THE INSTITUTIONS AND STATE.

THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR STRATEGIC INITIATIVES UPDATED THE COMMITTEE ON PROGRESS TOWARD TWO GOALS IN THE UNC SYSTEM STRATEGIC PLAN, ONE FOCUSED ON MILITARY ENROLLMENT AND A SECOND ON MILITARY PARTNERSHIPS.

THE UNC SYSTEM HAS MORE THAN 22,000 MILITARY FILAMENTED AFFILIATED STUDENTS ENROLLED 2024 A 16% IN GROWTH OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT THE UNC SYSTEM HAS SIGNED 19 MILITARY PARTNERSHIPS, JUST ONE PARTNERSHIP SHY OF 2027 GOAL PUTTING US WAY AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.

THESE PARTNERSHIPS WITH ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE 18 AIRBORNE FORT BRAGG AND AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EDUCATION ARE CRITICAL TO REACHING AND SERVING THE MILITARY COMMUNITIES IN NORTH CAROLINA.

NEXT, DIRECTOR OF WORKFORCE AND PARTNERSHIPS PRESENTED A SUMMARY OF A CONGRESSIONALLY FUNDED PROGRAM SUPPORTING UNC RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS WITH ACTIVE DUTY ARMY UNITS IN NORTH CAROLINA.

THROUGH THE ARMY PATH FINDER PROGRAM, FIVE UNC INSTITUTIONS ARE PARTICIPATING IN APPLIED RESEARCH WITH SOLDIERS AT FORT BRAGG AND OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE STATE.

TO DATE, THIS PROGRAM HAS BROUGHT IN $15 MILLION TO OUR UNC INSTITUTIONS AND ANOTHER $6 MILLION TO OTHER ENTITIES ACROSS OUR STATE.

THIS PROGRAM DRIVES INNOVATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR NORTH CAROLINA WHILE ENGAGING OUR STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF WHO WORK DIRECTLY WITH SOLDIERS IN UNIFORM TO DEVELOP REAL WORLD OPERATIONAL CAPABILITIES.

SHE PROVIDED AN UPDATE ON THE BOARD RECENTLY APPROVED LEGISLATIVE REQUESTS TO ALLOW UNC INSTITUTIONS TO PROVIDE DISCITYCI DISCOUNTS TO MILITARY LEARNERS USING TUITION ASSISTANCE BENEFITS.

THE LEGISLATIVE REQUEST HAS BEEN FILED AS A HOUSE BILL AND IS MOVING FAVORABLY THROUGH THE COMMITTEE PROCESS.

WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT THIS ACTION WILL MAKE OUR UNC INSTITUTIONS MORE COMPETITIVE WITH OUT OF STATE AND FOR PROFIT PROVIDERS.

NEXT, MR. BRADLEY, PROGRAM MANAGER FOR MILITARY STUDENT SUCCESS GAVE AN UPDATE ON THE MILITARY EQUIVALENCE SYSTEM LAUNCHED IN MARCH 2024 WITH 5,000 EQUIVALENCIES THAT MATCH BETWEEN MILITARY COURSES AND UNC SYSTEMS AND COURSES.

I'M PLEASED TO REPORT THERE ARE OVER 17,000 IN MES.

FUTURE PLANS INCRUDE ENHANCING THE USER EXPERIENCE.

EXPANDING EQUIVALENCY IN THE SYSTEM WITH A FOCUS ON WORKFORCE NEED SUCH AS NURSING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AREAS AND BUILDING A BACK END PORTAL FOR CAMPUS ADMINISTRATORS TO MANAGE THE LARGE VOLUME OF EQUIVALENCY WE HAVE THANKS TO HARD WORK FOR STAFF AND CHANCELLOR LEADERSHIP.

FINALLY, A FEW EXAMPLES OF THE GREAT WORK OUR INSTITUTIONS ARE DOING TO SERVE MILITARY AFFILIATED STUDENTS INCLUDING PROVIDING MENTAL HEALTH AND CAREER TRANSITION SUPPORT.

THANK YOU, CHAIR MURPHY.

THIS CONCLUDES MY REMARKS.

>> THANK YOU.

A LOT OF GOOD WORK THERE.

MR. FORD, WE'LL NOW HEAR FROM YOU FOR THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON STRATEGIC INITIATIVES.

>> THANK YOU, CHAIR.

YESTERDAY WE MET TO DISCUSS AXEL BRATING TIME TO DEGREE, SOMETIMES OVERLOOKED OR LESS DISCUSSED MANAGEMENT PIPELINE.

DR. ROBERTSON KICKED OFF THE MEETING PROVIDING AN OVERVIEW OF STRATEGIES IMPLEMENTED ACROSS THE SYSTEM TO ADDRESS TIME TO DEGREE.

OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS, UNC SYSTEM HAS MADE STRIDES TO REDUCE TIME TO DEGREE FOR FIRST TIME, FULL TIME STUDENTS FROM FOUR AND A HALF YEARS TO A DEGREE TO JUST OVER A LITTLE OVER FOUR YEARS.

THIS ALLOWS OUR STUDENTS TO REDUCE COSTS TO OBTAIN A DEGREE WHILE HELPING THEM LAUNCH INTO THE NEXT CHAPTER OF THE JOURNEY, CAREER OR FURTHERING GRADUATE EDUCATION.

IN ADDITION TO THE TIME TO DEGREE FIRST TIME, FULL TIME STUDENTS, THE UNC SYSTEM HAS SEEN SIMILAR GAINS FROM THREE YEARS TRANSFER STUDENT TO COMPLETE A DEGREE TO NOW UNDER THREE YEARS.

THESE SUCCESSES CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE SYSTEM AND INSTITUTIONAL POLICIES, PRACTICES WHICH FOCUSED ON AWARDING CREDIT FOR LEARNING, CAPPING DEGREE PROGRAMS TO NOT EXCEED 120 STUDENT CREDIT HOURS AND PROMOTING YEAR AROUND, INCLUDING SUMMER ENROLLMENT.

AFTER DR. ROBERTSON'S REMARKS, WE HEARD FROM TWO CHANCELLORS ON CAMPUS SPECIFIC STRATEGIES TO ACCELERATE TIME TO DEGREE.

FIRST WE HEARD FROM CHANCELLOR GILL HAM WHO GAVE AN OVERVIEW OF ELECTIVE CREDIT REREALIGNMENT FOCUSED ON EMPTY CALORIE CREDITS AWARDED TO STUDENTS.

WE HEARD ABOUT THE STOP OUT STRATEGY INITIATIVE AIMED AT REENGAGING WITH PROJECT KITTY HAWK.

FINALLY, WE HEARD ABOUT THE SPARTAN FINISH LINE TO HELP STUDENTS WITH MICROGRANTS AND EFFICIENCY EFFORT TO ADDRESS POST PANDEMIC CREDIT LOSSES.

CHANCELLOR OF UNC WILMINGTON DISCUSSED THE APPROACH TO ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, WELL BEING AND PREPAREDNESS TO KEEP STUDENTS ON TIME TO A DEGREE.

THIS INCLUDED PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND ACCELERATED OPTIONS IN DEGREE PROGRAMS SUCH AS SOCIAL WORK, OCEANOGRAPHY AND COASTAL ENGINEERING.

WE HEARD ABOUT THE ACADEMIC ADVISING MODEL FOR MONITORING STUDENT PROGRESS AND OPTIMIZATION STRATEGIES UNDERTAKEN TO REDUCE FINANCIAL BARRIERS.

TO CONCLUDE, THE UNC SYSTEM AND INSTITUTIONS CONTINUE TO MONITOR AND ADDRESS THE ENROLLMENT HEAD WINDS FACED BY DEMOGRAPHIC CHALLENGES.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE AS A SYSTEM FOCUS ON THE ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT PIPELINE THAT MATTER TO THE STUDENTS SUCH AS ACCELERATING TIME TO DEGREE.

WHILE PROMISING PRACTICES AND POLICIES WE HEARD ABOUT IN YESTERDAY'S COMMITTEE MEETING, WE REMAIN HOPEFUL OUR INSTITUTIONS CONTINUE TO SERB SERVE AS A LAUNCH PAD TO STUDENTS NOT A BOTTLE NECK.

THANK YOU, CHAIR MURPHY.

THIS CONCLUDES MY REMARKS.

>> THANK YOU.

OUR NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS BITTERSWEET.

GOVERNOR SLOANE HAS SERVED ON THIS BOARD FOR THE LAST TEN YEARS.

YEARS AND HAS SUBMITTED S RESIGNATION EFFECTIVE TOMORROW.

HE HAS BEEN A STEADY LISTENER AND TRUE FRIEND TO ALL OF US.

I TREASURE OUR TIME TOGETHER BECAUSE IN THE FRIDAY CENTER WHEN THE MEETINGS LASTED TWO TO FOUR HOURS, WE SAT BESIDE EACH OTHER, SO WE HAD A LOT OF TIME TO GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND SERVICE TO THIS BOARD, TO THE UNC SYSTEM, AND OUR STATE.

NOW, AS A SMALL TOKEN OF OUR GRATITUDE, WE WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT YOU WITH A RESOLUTION HONORING YOUR SERVICE.

GOVERNOR BYERS, WILL YOU PLEASE BEGIN?

>> OLD FRIEND, IT IS INDEED AN HONOR.

O TEMPLE SLOANE III HAS BEEN A VALUED MEMBER OF THE GOVERNORS OF NORTH CAROLINA AND SERVED WITH COMMITMENT SINCE 2015 AND WHEREAS MR. SLOANE HAS SERVED WITH DISTINCTION ON FIVE BOARD STANDING COMMITTEE, PERSONNEL AND TENURE, 2015-2017 SERVING AS SECRETARY, 2016 AND 17, THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC AFFAIR, 2015-2018 AND 2020-2021 SERVING AS ADVICE CHAIR 2017 AND 2018, THE COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND FINANCE IN 2017 THROUGH 2020 SERVING ITS CHAIR.

THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATIONAL PLANNING POLICIES AND PROGRAMS IN 2020 THROUGH 2023, SERVING AS CHAIR.

THE COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, 2021, 2022, SERVING AS ITS SECRETARY.

THE COMMITTEE ON UNIVERSITY PERSONNEL, 2023-2025 SERVING AS ITS VICE-CHAIR, AND WHEREAS MR. SLOAN PROVIDED EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP TO SEVERAL SPECIAL AND SUBCOMMITTEES OF THE BOARD INCLUDING THE COMMITTEE ON STRATEGIC INITIATIVES 2016-2018, THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTHCARE, 2018 AND 2019, SERVING AS ITS CHAIR, THE COMMITTEE ON HISTORICAL MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTIONS 2019 AND 2020, THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON LABORATORY SCHOOLS IN 2022 THROUGH 2024, SERVING AS VICE-CHAIR IN 2023 AND 2024, THE SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE O MAX GARDNER AWARD, SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE JAMES E HO HOLSHOUSER AWARD, AND -- >> WHERE THIS BUSINESS LEADER BROUGHT DECADES OF EXPERIENCE AND ACUMEN TO ADDRESS ISSUES WHILE SERVING.

HE HAS BEEN A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR FISCAL DISCIPLINE WORKING TIRELESSLY TO KEEP COST OF TUITION LOW ALLOWING FOR GREATER ACCESS TO THE UNIVERSITY.

WHEREAS MR. SLOANE PROVIDED LEADERSHIP DURING A PIVOTAL TIME FOR INSTITUTION AS WE NAVIGATED CHALLENGES OF THE COVID-19 COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND HAS ALWAYS TAKEN A STRAIGHTFORWARD APPROACH TO ISSUES BEFORE THE BOARD AND NUMEROUS POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS AND -- >> AND WHEREAS UNDER HIS GUIDANCE, THE BOARD ADVANCED POLICIES OF EXCELLENCE, UPHELD THE MISSION OF THE NORTH CAROLINA SYSTEM INCLUDING APPROVING A POLICY CHANGE GUARANTEEING GRADUATES OF NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL OF SCIENCE TO MATHEMATICS ADMISSION TO ALL UNC INSTITUTIONS HELPING TO KEEP SOME OF THE MOST TALENTED STUDENTS IN NORTH CAROLINA.

WHEREAS HE WORKED TO ENSURE A COORDINATED SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION BY CONDUCTING COMPREHENSIVE REVIEWS OF INSTITUTIONAL PEERS AND MISSION STATEMENTS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEARLY A DECADE FOSTERING GREATER ALIGNMENT AND STRATEGIC PLANNING ACROSS THE UNC SYSTEM.

AND -- >> WHEREAS -- HE HAS BEEN A CALM LEADER, A GREAT LISTENER, AND A WISE PRESENCE WHO VALUES CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE AND COLLABORATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING, AND WHEREAS MR. SLOANE HAS CARRIED OUT HIS DUTIES AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS WITH DIGNITY AND RESOLVING -- SORRY, I MUST STOP RIGHT HERE BECAUSE TEMPLE SLOANE IS MY FRIEND.

WE HAVE BEEN IN THE FOX HOLE TOGETHER, AND IT'S KIND OF EMOTIONAL, YOU KNOW?

THE FOUR OF US HAVE BEEN TOGETHER FROM THE BEGINNING.

THIS IS HARD.

SOMETIMES WHEN THINGS ARE HARD, YOUR EMOTIONS SPILL OVER.

TEMPLE, YOU KNOW I'M NOT A CRY BABY, BUT TODAY, I FEEL LIKE A CRY BABY BECAUSE MY FRIEND IS NOT GOING TO BE HERE TO BE WITH US, BUT WE'LL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU AND LOVE YOU DEARLY.

NOW THAT I HAVE RECOVERED A BIT, LET ME FINISH THIS RESOLUTION.

WHEREAS MR. SLOAN HAS CARRIED OUT HIS DUTIES AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS WITH DIGNITY AND RESOLVE PROVIDING VALUABLE LEADERSHIP, FRIEND, AND COUNCIL THROUGHOUT HIS SERVICE AND WHEREAS HIS SERVICE ON THE BOARD CONCLUDES ON APRIL 11TH, 2025.

THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS IS DEEPLY GRATEFUL TO O. TEMPLE SLOANE III FOR THE TIME HE HAS INVESTED AND THE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS HE HAS MADE.

>> CHAIR: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA EXTENDS ITS DEEPEST APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE TO O. TEMP SLOANE III FOR HIS DEDICATED SOUND LEADERSHIP AND LOYAL SERVICE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AND THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.

WITH THAT SAID, I MOVE THAT THE BOARD ACCEPTS THIS RESOLUTION HONORING TEMPLE SLOANE.

DO I HAVE A SECOND?

>> SECOND.

>> ANY DISCUSSION?

ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE INDICATE BY SAYING AYE.

>> AYE.

>> OPPOSED?

MOTION CARRIES.

[APPLAUSE] >> LET ME JUST BE VERY BRIEF AND SAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ALEX AND MIKE AND MR. BYERS AND PEARL, IT'S BEEN A GREAT RUN.

TEN YEARS, IT'S BEEN A GREAT RUN.

I HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING ALONGSIDE SOME OF THE BRIGHTEST PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA WHETHER ON THE UNC SYSTEM, WHETHER THEY WERE CHANCELLOR OR WHETHER THEY WERE BOARD OF GOVERNORS.

IT'S A GREAT HONOR AND I LEARNED MUCH MORE THAN I CONTRIBUTED.

THAT'S OKAY TOO.

THANKS TO EACH OF YOU.

I WILL MISS YOU AND I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED IT.

THANK YOU, WENDY, THANK YOU PRESIDENT HANS.

[APPLAUSE] >> WE HAVE ONE LITTLE MORE ANNOUNCEMENT OR WORDS, I'M GOING TO CALL ON MR. RAMSEY.

>> WHILE HE WOULD PREFER I NOT SAY ANYTHING, THIS IS CHANCELLOR WHITSON'S LAST MEETING WITH THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS.

HE HAS BEEN A STEADFAST LEADER I HAVE WORKED WITH 15 YEARS.

AS DISCUSSED LAST NIGHT, WE HAVE NOT ALWAYS AGREED ON THINGS, BUT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DISAGREE AND STILL GET ALONG AND THE DISAGREEMENTS HAVE MADE ME A BETTER PERSON.

CHANCELLOR WOODSON HAS BEEN THE GO-TO CHANCELLOR.

I TOLD HIM LAST NIGHT, MANY TIMES I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, SO WHEN I CALLED RANDY UP, HE DIDN'T MAKE ME FEEL AS STUPID AS I WAS.

HE HAS BEEN A STEADFAST LEADER TO MANY IN THE ROOM.

I'LL PERSONALLY MISS HIM.

I'M HONORED TO HAVE SERVE WITH HIM AND I HOPE YOU WILL ALL JOIN ME IN GIVING CHANCELLOR WOODSON A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

[APPLAUSE] >> CHAIR: THANK YOU.

>> MADAM CHAIR?

>> CHAIR: YES?

>> I WANTED TO ADD TO TEMPLE'S -- HE AND I WERE TALKING LAST NIGHT.

THAT WAS THE ORIGINAL GROUP THAT CAME IN TEN YEARS AGO, PEARL, ALEX AND T TEMPLE AND THIS BEAST SITTING BESIDE ME, BUT TEMPLE BROUGHT UP THE FACT THAT WE HAD BEEN TOGETHER LONGER ON SERVICE OF THIS BOARD THAN BOTH OF MY MARRIAGES LASTED.

TEMPLE, THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS REMINDING ME OF MY PAST, MY FRIEND.

>> CHAIR: IT HAS BEEN A GOOD DAY.

I THINK IT'S REALLY SPECIAL THAT WE ARE EMOTIONAL ABOUT PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE SERVED WITH AND WORKED WITH AND WE SEE A CHANGE COMING, AND IT NOT A JOY THAT WE LIKE EACH OTHER SO MUCH.

THAT MAKES THE WORK WE DO BETTER.

WITH THAT, LET'S MOVE INTO CLOSED SESSION.

SECRETARY BURRIS-FLOYD?

>> MADAM CHAIR, I MOVE THAT WE GO INTO CLOSED SESSION UNDER CHAPTER 143 OF THE GENERAL STATUTES AS PRESENTED IN OUR PUBLICLY WRITTEN MOTION.

>> MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, YOU HAVE HEARD THE MOTION.

IS THERE A SECOND?

>> IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION?

>> ALL IN FAVOR INDICATE BY SAYING AYE.

OPPOSED?

MOTION CARRIES.

WE ARE NOW IN CLOSED SESSION.

>> OKAY, WE ARE BACK IN OPEN SESSION AND I WILL CALL ON MRS. COWARD TO GIVE THE OPEN CHAIR REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON UNIVERSITY PERSONNEL.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, THE COMMITTEE REVIEW TO REPORT FROM DR. ENGLISH ON FACULTY RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION FUND UTILIZATION OVER THE LAST YEAR, THANKS TO THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR STATE LEGISLATURE.

WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO APPROVE A REQUEST FOR RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF FACULTY MEMBERS ACROSS THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA.

MR. BALLMER UPDATED THE COMMITTEE ON RECENT HUMAN RESOURCES CHANGES ACROSS THE SYSTEM.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

THIS CONCLUDES MY REMARKS.

>> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT, SO THAT CONCLUDES OUR BUSINESS FOR TODAY.

THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS WILL BE ON THURSDAY, MAY 15.

DO YOU HAVE?

>> MADAM CHAIR, IF I COULD JUST ONE MOMENT I JUST WANTED TO LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT SINCE OUR LAST MEETING, FORMER CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS, RODNEY JAMES PASQUALE WAS THE FIRST CHAIR TO SERVE FROM A SCHOOL OTHER THAN UNC CHAPEL HILL.

HE WAS A GRADUATE OF EAST CAROLINA.

HE DID A WONDERFUL JOB AS CHAIR OF THE BOARD AND I JUST WANTED TO RECOGNIZE HIM IN LIGHT OF HIS RECENT PASSING.

SO THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT.

SO MAY 15, BACK IN RALEIGH.

WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE STAND ADJOURNED.

THANK YOU.