Hello!
Thank you so much for coming to our TransparUNCy Teach-in Wednesday in the Student Union. The turnout for the teach-in exceeded our wildest expectations—we’re grateful that so many students on campus are interested in our work.
If you are new to our mailing list, welcome to the Affirmative Action Coalition newsletter! This is the place where we share crucial information about our student movement at UNC. Please share it with your friends and subscribe on Substack!
In today’s newsletter, we have lots of important follow up information from the Teach-in, including opportunities for future involvement, a link for CLE credit, Wednesday's slides, info about upcoming teach-ins, and additional resources. Please read the whole letter to stay up to date! If you are viewing this newsletter through Outlook, be sure to allow “blocked content” at the top of this email to see the flyers included below.
Important - Save the Dates!
Click here to join the TransparUNCy Google Calendar!
Public Hearings for Chancellor Search Process:
The Chancellor selection committee has been formed and the search for a permanent Chancellor is underway. It’s clear: the Chancellor selection process is rigged in favor of the Board of Governors and the Board of Trustees. In all likelihood, Art Pope’s favorite candidate Lee Roberts will be named permanent Chancellor. But, students still have opportunities to fight back. On Monday, April 1st, 2:00 PM at the Pleasants Family Assembly Room in Wilson Library and Tuesday, April 2nd at 5:30 PM in Kerr Hall, Room 1001.
Normally, almost no one shows up to these events. If students pack these meeting rooms and tell the truth about Roberts, Pope, and the rightwing takeover of our campus, we can send a message that students will not be passive as our university suffers.
Bring your friends! Bring your parents! Bring your professors! Bring your pets! This is a unique opportunity to make your voice heard.
Click here to learn more about the message we want to send the Chancellor Selections Committee.
Student Forum on University Governance:
For decades, Art Pope and the Board of Governors have relied on student ignorance in order to advance their agenda. They have never offered students a say in how our university should be run. If they won’t give students a seat at the table, we’ll build our own. On April 24th, 5:00 PM at the Anne Queen Lounge in the Campus Y, we will be inviting the Chapel Hill Board of Trustees and the UNC Board of Governors to attend a forum where students will speak about how we want our university to be run.
Make your voice heard and speak truth to power!
CLE Credit Confirmation:
We heard from a lot of people that the CLE credit link was broken on our presentation. So sorry!! We want to make sure everyone gets credit for attending our event.
CLICK THIS LINK FOR CLE CREDIT!!
Upcoming Teach-ins!
While we were thrilled with the turnout Wednesday, we realized a rainy evening before a long weekend is not an ideal time to hold an event. That’s why we’re going to be running this same Teach-in, Thursday, April 4th at 5:00 PM in room 3411 of the Student Union. If you were inspired, interested, or outraged by what you learned Wednesday, please tell your friends! The best thing you can do is spread the word and encourage your peers to come.
Additionally, we will be hosting another Teach-in on Thursday, April 11th at 5PM Student Union Room 3411 about the School of Civic Life and Leadership. As we mentioned on Wednesday, the School of Civic Life and Leadership (SCiLL) is one of the most important ongoing battles on campus right now. The origins of SCiLL are extremely suspicious, and now that Pope-funded Jed Atkins has been hired to run the school, we are in deep trouble. Come to the Teach-in to learn more about how the SCiLL is a tool of a dangerous right-wing movement, and how students can resist.
Resources from the Teach-in on 3/27
We heard from many of you that you would like to be able to look back on the presentation. We are attaching the slide presentation here for reference.
We heard from others that you want to do your own research and read more about this history, but don’t know where to begin. Here are some resources on the topic we discussed Wednesday.
START HERE: A Very Basic Background on University Administrative Structure
Art Pope:
Political Influence at UNC: An Examination of the Pope/Koch Network
How A Right-Wing Political Machine Is Dismantling Higher Education in North Carolina
In N.C., conservative donor Art Pope sits at heart of government he helped transform
How Art Pope's money shaped UNC's toxic debate over Nikole Hannah-Jones
The School of Civic Life and Leadership:
The uncivil origins of the School of Civic Life and Leadership at UNC
UNC looking to counter 'woke' campuses with new school: Creating a 'level playing field'
UNC Board of Governors hosts conservative academic star, looks to emulate his program
How Right-Wing Billionaires Infiltrated Higher Education (paywalled, but available for free through UNC library).
Silent Sam:
Gene Nichol and The Center on Work, Poverty, and Opportunity:
Nikole Hannah Jones:
UNC Center for Civil Rights:
DEI Bans:
Map: See which states have introduced or passed anti-DEI bills
UNC board member predicts NC will ‘follow Florida’s path,’ ban DEI at public colleges
Alabama bans DEI in schools and says bathrooms must be designated by ‘biological sex’
Thank you again for joining us on Wednesday! We look forward to seeing you at future events as the TransparUNCy movement grows.
Sincerely,
The TransparUNCy Team
Great resources!