“SCiLL’s proclaimed mission of providing “public discourse” and “the cornerstone of a strong democracy” is so blasphemous that it’s only worth addressing briefly.
UNC’s recent history of brutalizing peaceful protesters, surveilling students, censoring professors, and lying about it all exemplifies the opposite of healthy dialogue. The announcement of SCiLL without faculty approval exemplifies the opposite of ‘strong democracy.’ ”
This week from TransparUNCy Press, Julian Taylor explains the overtly political, conservative roots of UNC’s new School of Civic Life and Leadership in “It's a SCiLL Issue.”
UNC leadership such as Trustee Marty Kotis have attempted to present SCiLL as a school dedicated to “creating a level playing field” and “an environment for civil discourse.” However, SCiLL’s origins and funding, coupled with UNC’s recent reputation for brutalizing and silencing students, certainly do not support administration’s presented intentions. Perhaps to really grasp these intentions it’s better to look at what is said in private, such as when Provost (at the time Senior Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences) Chris Clemens invited Robbie George to UNC, writing to him in an email about '“administration's interest in housing a conservative center on campus.” Seven years later, this interest has become reality with the first SCiLL classes to be listed this fall.
Click below to read the full piece and learn more.
SCiLL’s rise becomes even more concerning in light of recent increases in student and faculty surveillance. Only earlier this week Inside Higher Ed reported UNC’s decision to dismiss business school professor Larry Chavis after secretly recording his lectures in April. Chavis was unaware that he was being recorded, despite policies stating class recordings require faculty consent. Chavis received no reasoning for his termination after 18 years of teaching at UNC.
Stay tuned for more from TransparUNCy Press on campus surveillance.
Don’t miss last week’s TransparUNCy Press article by Aiofe Nurse, “UNC's Police Response to Student Protests.”
Stay up to date with all TransparUNCy Press publications by visiting our Substack and checking out a new article every Monday and newsletter every Wednesday.
If you’re a student interested in writing for us, please DM us on Instagram @transparuncy or @uncaffaxn!
TransparUNCy is also now on Twitter! Follow us there to keep up with organizing and involvement opportunities throughout the summer and upcoming school year!
The TransparUNCy Team