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UNC's Ross: streamline academics

Submitted by eferreri on 01/14/2011 - 10:35

Under Erskine Bowles, the UNC system focused largely on making the administrative side of the university more efficient.

Now, new president Tom Ross wants to attack the academic side.

Ross announced his desire Friday morning to look for ways to streamline the university's academics by looking for "unnecessary duplication."

It is important, Ross told members of the UNC system's Board of Governors, for the university to be "nimble and flexible" as it works through what is expected to be a difficult budget year.

He has tapped James Woodward, the longtime former chancellor at UNC Charlotte, to head this initiative.

(Woodward also served as interim chancellor at N.C. State University)

Stay tuned for more.

Comments

hardly

Fri, 01/14/2011 - 18:36 — GOTVnow

"Nimble and flexible" are two things Tom Ross is not and the academics will see quickly.

Ross is bureaucratic and good ole Democrat boy.

The honeymoon is over.

Good Idea to consolidate majors to one campus that ....

Fri, 01/14/2011 - 17:38 — gkgreene

Believe it is a good idea to consolidate majors to one campus that have a need for extensive laboratories and equipment. For example in engineering and construction, why not have all at NC State to prevent duplication and thus extra costs at other campus. With internet, research can be coordinated at other campus locations. For example, biomedical engineering could work with Chapel Hill and Greenville. Why coastal programs at UNCW, ECU, NCSU and UNC - pick one and go.

By having the program at one campus, more professers and research available for students and thus, offering a greater array of courses in that major. There will be some economies in staffing but greater economies with the reduction of duplication of facilities.

Another item to consider - do not allow student fees cover so much of an athletic departments budget. Never should student fees be greater than donations and ticket sales.

Where to cut

Fri, 01/14/2011 - 21:24 — SpiroAgnew

The legislature needs to discuss additional means to generate revenue in addition to cuts. We will destroy the engine of our economic vitality by going after instruction. How about these suggestions?

* Increase tuition and fees. There are tons of people who still want to go to college and have the willingness to pay for it out of their own pockets, or take out loans. The UNC system has always been a hell of a deal when compared to other state systems. Maybe it can stand to be a little less so for the time being. I would pay more to maintain quality, and so would anyone who actually wants an excellent education.

* Further cuts in administration. There is still plenty of high-cost middle and upper management of dubious necessity.

* Eliminate or freeze most capital projects. Ask big donors to please consider directing funds to instruction. We don't need new student centers, stadium upgrades or renovations right now. That outdated building will last another 2 years without window treatments or flat screens.

* Don't admit or retain low performing students. Students shouldn't take 9 years to get an undergraduate degree, and ones admitted with 800 SATs and 2.0 high school GPAs don't graduate. These people waste significant amounts of money. Up the admission standards across the board, set limits for in-state tuition subsidies, and limit use of the "forgiveness policy."

* Faculty aren't getting many research grants in this economy. Some teach only two courses a semester. Preserving education in a tough economy is more important than publishing in some obscure journal that will never be read. Some can teach another class.

* Eliminate various state tuition grants. If $700 in free money (ex. "incentive grants") is all it takes for you to want to go to college, you won't graduate anyway. Avoiding a life spent in poverty is all the incentive you need. Take out loans like the rest of us.

* Stop giving pay bumps to teachers in K-12 that get online Masters degrees. It doesn't make them any better teachers, and it wastes money that could otherwise go to higher ed. We need to reward accomplishment in education, not false credentials.

* Increase taxes on the wealthiest. They profit disproportionately from the benefits our system provides, so they should asked to give a little more. This would have little effect on the lives of very few, but improve the lives of so many more. The legislature shouldn't starve the poor and middle class to death and say they are giving us more freedom. We don't get a bailout. Be a friend to those who help make this state great, we can find the resources.

Crazy

Fri, 01/14/2011 - 15:36 — stevemichaels

you mean "tenured" professors can't teach a couple of classes and still bring in 100K+ - you taxpayers are so particular - you actually want professors to actually work close to 40 hours per week? Or gasp.. you want us to work 12 months a year!!!!

I know as I am an independent contract instructor for a non UNC college and work with these type of "professors" every day - if the average joe/jane knew how easy some of these folks had it they would march on the capital - sadly in many departments its the real "worker bees" that get shafted in no raises, lay-offs etc...

Yeah, I always hear these

Fri, 01/14/2011 - 20:09 — festus

Yeah, I always hear these stories about do-nothing rich professors. Always firsthand. But funny thing: I teach in a UNC campus and here is how it is in my department: Every tenure track faculty member teaches the same number of courses unless they are on leave (one semester every six years) or they have some extreme administrative responsibility (dept chair). Those folks get one course release, meaning they teach one less class per semester. But they still teach. And what do we teach? Every faculty member from the newest assistant to the oldest full prof teaches intro courses, seminars, service classes, etc.

So I am always really suspicious of these stories. Maybe your school or department does it differently than mine. But in mine, everyone is working pretty darn hard. And no one is making salaries comparable to the private sector with commensurate experience. My spouse makes much better money in business.

I'd say we are fairly paid (about $40k for starters; top salary after 35 years of service about $100k). But not overpaid. I think the taxpayers are getting pretty good return on their money.

Where I agree with you is that it is criminal how many departments have stopped hiring tenure track folks and hire adjuncts instead. Adjuncts are criminally underpaid, they have no time to focus on students, they do not receive reasonable benefits, and they have no voice in the university. It is a disservice to students and to adjuncts to hire them instead of hiring fewer tenure track profs. I see this as both a financial and ethical disaster for all parties, including taxpayers.

Athletics a bigger drain on Money

Fri, 01/14/2011 - 14:29 — rob1977nc

I'm glad that Bowles went for cuts on the admin side of things first. But before Ross goes after academics, he needs to aim his scissors at the athletic budgets first. Colleges are learning institutions...not places for jocks to be glorified and pampered, like it seems today.

Here's an idea

Fri, 01/14/2011 - 13:14 — TheLibertine

How about they commit to a comprehensive study on what students actually do with their UNC diplomas? What value does it really have for graduates? I'd be especially interested in the actual earnings of students (who aren't trust fund babies and don't have someone to subsidize their incomes the first 5+ years) after a BA/BS. Of course, this same study should be done by all schools. Let me offer that I am an absolute proponent of higher education -- best investment I've ever made from a return standpoint. I just don't know that the programs being offered today result in anything but a piece of paper and alot of debt for the graduate.

"Learning ..."

Fri, 01/14/2011 - 13:45 — AgentPierce

I'm a big fan of "learning" and reading and being inquisitive as a lifetime pursuit .... however I do question traditional "higher education" as the best route for overall "success" in life.

Community colleges and trade schools offer much more marketable skill development than traditional liberal arts colleges for students not inclined to advanced professional degrees in law, medicine, etc.

"Going to college" can take many forms.

"nimble & flexible"

Fri, 01/14/2011 - 12:26 — AgentPierce

"nimble & flexible" are the same characteristics that strip club owners are always looking for.

Cynics are always poo-pooing ambitious plans such as Ross proposes. One has to start someone when cleaning out a junky attic ......