Protests have been held over the last few months, even this week, speaking out against new UNC System President Margaret Spellings.

But all was relatively composed, on Friday, at Fayetteville State University for the first meeting since Spellings was installed.

Some protesters attended the meeting and held signs that read “Invest in Instruction” and “Justice for Students” and some others stood and turned their backs while Spellings was delivering the President’s Report. Those with their backs turned provided the only vocal protest by shouting “Spell check” as they were walking out of the meeting, which has become one of the favored terms among protesters as a play on Spellings’ name.

Spellings met with the protesters, who were with the group Faculty Forward, as the board went into closed session.

“When I introduced myself to them, I thanked them for their respect and their decorum,” Spellings said. “And I think it was the perfect way to voice their concerns.

“So I feel like I’m off to a great start. We had a very pleasant conversation, and I’m glad they were here.”

Board chair Lou Bissette also said the board would be looking to increase public input by possibly implementing a public comment period.

“What we’re thinking about now is having a session after each regular board meeting,” Bissette said. “It would probably last for 30 minutes to an hour, where individuals from the public, from the students, faculty would be able to come in and make their comments to the board.”

Bissette, the former Asheville Mayor, said the public comment period would likely take the shape of city council or county commission public comment input with a sign-up sheet and allotted time. He added several members of the board would attend each public comment section but not the entire board.

While there was no public comment period at the meeting on Friday, it was the first meeting to be streamed live via UNC-TV. Board leadership said this move was made to increase access for public who wanted to follow the meeting but could not attend.

The board also implemented a list of protocols for those who attend the meetings.

“We have a public meeting. We do not have a public hearing,” Bissette said. “And so we have to maintain some order in our meetings. And today, I thought, was an incredible day. I think the protesters were there. They got their point across but yet did not disrupt the meeting.

“And I would hope that that’s the way we could treat each other going forward in the future.”

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