Yesterday, we had another Student Open House. I’ve enjoyed both of them a lot. Todd Dalrymple definitely has people working to craft an agenda and stick to it. Makes sense for someone who moonlights as a little league umpire to be good at keeping people to the rules.
One of the topics was enrollment growth. I’ve been surprised with how engaged the students are on this topic. The growth will come after they’re gone, I think, so why do they care? I’ve realized to my pleasant surprise that this is far too cynical a view. It’s energized my faith in the fact that students don’t just care about their current life, but they care about the future of Carolina.
Here’s some of the amazing things students have done on the topic. First, Brendan Brown has become the Bob Woodward of enrollment growth. His story of this week had interviews with a lot of important people in the General Assembly and had views on all sides of the question. When I was out east on Friday, I went to see Senator Marc Basnight in Manteo, and he told me about the 30-min conversation he had with Brendan. Senator Basnight was impressed. So was I.
When I talked to Brendan, I asked him why he was so interested in this. I’d consider it something only a policy wonk like a chancellor or provost would be interested in. He said he came from Washington, DC to come to Carolina because it was a great university, and he wants Carolina to stay that way. Cool. So do I.
Then today, lots of students came prepared with questions about enrollment growth. Had we thought about space needs? Will we address diversity as we grow? (The answer to both of these is yes.) How will Carolina North help? How will it affect the neighborhoods?
When I was a student, I was hanging in the lab and playing in a band, not thinking about higher education policy. I’m thrilled that we have students that want to engage on these topics while they’re here. We need their real-time perspective.
Hey you know, we DO have the best students in the world.
P.S. Here’s the video of me playing Johnny B. Goode in Ann Arbor. I’m still no Marty McFly, but I had fun.
7 Comments
Holy moly, Holden, you know your way around an axe. I knew you were strong on the keyboards and bass, but it’s time you spend a little more time on lead guitar. Nice improv; what a riff. You are the coolest chancellor…
Just a blogging tip: The link to the Marty McFly is a good idea, but if you linked to the video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFc4_v1DUx4), we might be better able to compare. Just a thought.
My husband and I were in your beginning Chemistry class our freshman year – even though I’m not a Chem major anymore, I still remember the Star Wars video and potato gun, and quite a few other “props” you used to inspire us to learn differently. That’s why I have high hopes for you as Chancellor – you just get it. You get that learning isn’t only about sitting in a classroom reading a textbook and taking an exam. You have the willpower and desire (along with a very high ranking position) to help keep Carolina as the very best university in the nation.
Carolina still inspires me, and so do you, even though I graduated 7 years ago. Even though I went on to a Nutrition and Spanish degree, that Chemistry class was still my favorite. Thank-you for that! I was very glad to know you were going to be Carolina’s Chancellor. Good luck in all your endeavors!
Great guitar playing! I would be interested to know what band or bands you played with while in college.
I agree with Ted. The link to this video went to friends in Los Angeles, London and Sydney who wanted to attend UNC but couldn’t get in from out of state. They are still big fans of UNC who are encouraging their kids to set their sites on Chapel Hill.
Enjoying the blog, and the music. The address Sunday was a keeper. Best to you all.
Hello, Chancellor! I saw in the Daily Tar Heel that you are searching out ways to make UNC more appealing to high school juniors and seniors. My best friend says that UNC would appeal more to him if the campus was entirely wireless. In addition, expanding the campus tour opportunities to include specialized tours for different majors and career paths would be a welcome change. A chance to spend the night in a dorm room with a college student would really give an impression of what life is like here. Thanks for your time and I know you’ll be a fantastic chancellor.