The UNC Board of Trustees met for the final time of the 2021-22 academic year on Thursday morning and, as is typical for the last meeting before a summer break, celebrated this past year while celebrating new beginnings.
The full board meeting at the Carolina Inn began with the addition of a new member to the board: recently elected Student Body President Taliajah “Teddy” Vann. The former president of the Black Student Movement was sworn in and told trustees she is in the process of finalizing the staff and policy platform for her senior year.
“I’m just really excited to work in this space,” said Vann. “I’ve gotten the opportunity to meet a lot of really incredible people in the board already. I’m excited to utilize those connections to the benefits of our students over the course of the year.”
Taliajah “Teddy” Vann, UNC’s 2022-23 student body president, stands in front of the Old Well on UNC’s campus. (Photo via Ira Wilder/The Daily Tar Heel.)
Vann’s swearing-in ceremony was just one aspect of the celebrations during Thursday’s board meeting. UNC returned students to in-person learning for the duration of the academic year – something not achieved since 2018-19 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The university also reached its fundraising goal for the Campaign for Carolina, held its commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2022 and, most recently, rededicated two of its buildings on campus after trailblazers instead of figures with ties to white supremacy.
Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz acknowledged also that UNC is welcoming several new deans to its ranks beginning this summer. He said the schools’ selection strategy mirrors advice he just gave to graduating seniors.
“Surround yourself with people who share similar values as you do,” said Guskiewicz, “but perhaps view issues, challenges and opportunities through different lenses. [People] who will challenging you to be better and get better. I’m proud to say we are doing just that as we build out our leadership team here. We’re assembling an incredible cohort of deans and senior leaders that you [the Board] helped us to do.”
James W.C. White was recently announced as the new dean for the College of Arts and Sciences. Other additions include Raul Reis to the Hussman School of Journalism and Media; Valerie Howard to the School of Nursing; and Janet Guthmiller to the Adams School of Dentistry.
Also joining Guskiewicz’s senior leadership team: a new chief of UNC Police. The university announced earlier this week Brian James will be taking over the role instead of retiring from the City of Greensboro Police Department. James attended the board meeting and shared his philosophy with trustees about how to introduce himself, but also how to rebuild the reputation of a department caught in several controversies over recent years.
“I believe that great relationships are what build great police departments,” said James. “Certainly, as I arrive on campus, my first priority will be getting to know the students, the faculty and staff. And making sure that we’re not only looked at [as] the police department on campus, but that we’re actually part of the community. I think that will certainly be the key to our success.”
James said he will also prioritize finding the right balance of retaining the department’s best current officers, while also recruiting new ones to improve campus safety and students’ sense of security.
The veteran police chief also said while he’ll be new to UNC’s campus, he has long been a Tar Heel.
“I’ve been a UNC fan since I was 12 years old,” James told the board. “I already have UNC gear in the closet, so I’m looking forward to adding to that collection.”
Brian James will become UNC Police’s new chief effective July 1, 2022. (Photo via City of Greensboro.)
University leadership also looked ahead to the fall by briefly discussing the new general education curriculum that’s being introduced to undergraduate students. Another long-term project is expected to come to fruition soon: UNC’s Innovation Hub, which is a key piece of the ongoing East Rosemary Street redevelopment in Chapel Hill.
Trustee Vinay Patel shared some details of that project after receiving updates during committee meetings the day before. He said floor plans and designs are advancing, with the goal of eventually offering programming, office and service space for startups and local entrepreneurs.
“Once it’s said and done,” Patel said, “I think – not only for the university, but for the city and region – this will become an attraction unlike anything else.”
UNC is projecting its Innovation Hub will be up and running in 2023.
Featured photo via Sarah Wood/UNC-Chapel Hill.
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