Chancellor Carol Folt's arrival marks a significant transition for the University, and also a unique opportunity. As UNC moves forward and attempts to progress beyond recent scandals, Folt should set a new tone of transparency and accountability, both in treating their still-developing impacts and in handling similar problems in the future.
This is a pivotal time for the University as it addresses the recent stains on its record. And Folt, a veteran leader from the outside, is in the optimal position to proactively and aggressively tackle the problems at the roots of these scandals before they're ignored or forgotten.
And Folt is not the only new face in UNC's leadership. The collective base of fresh-faced University employees can and should bring light to past abuses without fear of blame or retribution.
This fresh administration has the opportunity to wipe the slate clean and set the standard for how the University will approach issues in the future. Folt can ensure that all problems that arise are thoroughly investigated and resolved with the administration's full cooperation.
Uncovering the extent of issues and their roots is always in the University's best interest, and a cooperative, constructive response when these sorts of problems first surface is better than dodging responsibility.
The former administration consistently shifted blame and slowed the release of any school records, all to avoid any substantive admission of fault. Instead of hiding behind FERPA or scapegoating a few faculty members for a greater problem at the institutional level, Folt can lead UNC in approaching every issue as a University -- rather than, for example, emphatically labeling a problem as "academic, not athletic," just to ward off deeper criticism.
Questionable academic practices in and around athletics departments represent a real, serious issue for many universities, and administrators should not shy away from it for fear of a little bad press -- not when there's an opportunity to serve as a role model for reform.
In the past, when University officials did try to address issues, they turned to expensive outside consultants for solutions, and sometimes only for confirmation that the issues indeed existed. Had administrators accepted problems immediately, instead of avoiding recognizing them until forced to by a third party, the costly hires would've been unnecessary.
The scandals are already rooted in the University community, and those most affected can speak out and help. The Sexual Assault Task Force charged with reviewing University sexual assault policies, for example, represents an earnest attempt to access these voices.
But the time it took for UNC leaders to admit a problem existed with current sexual assault policies and create the task force is embarrassing. A community-based approach to a resolution, however, is the only way to handle these sorts of issues responsibly and comprehensively.
Folt has already proven she respects and will respond to concerns of students and others in the community, exemplified when she canceled classes at Dartmouth last semester in order to encourage discussions of safety and social justice after widespread student protests.
Her position gives her the opportunity, and her record shows she's ready to take advantage of it. Transparency and accountability should be the fundamental principles moving forward.
If Folt doesn't act to change UNC's basic approach to controversy now, she'll only be setting up the University for more challenges and potential embarrassments in the future.
http://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2013/07/stay-open-transparent
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