How does your office relate to
the Black Student Movement
and the Black Cultural Center?
I am the faculty advisor to the BSM.
I hope that the BSM maintains its
vigor and visibility as a campus
advocate for African-American stu
dent interests. As so far as the BCC,
we have an important relationship.
The BCC furthers discussions on
race, ethnicity and culture, particu
larly of the diaspora. That makes us
a natural ally of the BCC.
Could you please give a brief
explanation of the Minority
Student Recruitment Program?
It is built up entirely of students, as
they are the best ambassadors. We
could not develop a marketing
approach that would make students
understand the Carolina experience
any better than to have actual stu
dents involved. There are more than
200 names of student volunteers
who work with our programs year
long. Some of our programs include
High School Honors Day, Tarheel
Target, North Carolina Renaissance,
Project Uplift and Pre-Orientation.
Do you have any final
remarks?
Ideally, we should be an environment
that welcomes difference and sup
ports it through the intellectual, the
personal and the social diversity of
students, faculty, and staff. We can t
be separated from the world.
00
,Y„ WlHIAT''S A PmOVOST?"
A
by Aprill Bethea
provost is the chief academic officer for the University; he/she over
sees all academic operations. The job of the provost is to ensure
>that the educational and research goals of the University are met.
Following an extensive two-month search, a 16-member committee
named Dr Robert Shelton as the final candidate for the next provost for UNC-CH.
On Oct. 13 the Board of Governors approved Shelton’s nommation for Provost.
The provost position became vacant in July with the retirement of
Richard Richardson. He had served m the post since April 1996.
A professor of physics, Shelton currently is the Vice-Provost for Research
at the University of California. He previously served as Vice Chancellor for
Rp‘sc3.rch ,
Shelton said that UNC-CH’s reputation as a top-notch university attracted
him to the position. “Carolina is well known throughout the country for its stu
dents and staff,” he said. In addition, Shelton added that he looked forward to
returning to a campus environment. “I like the energy and excitement of the cam-
nus environment,” he said. Shelton said that one of the greatest challenges facing
Universities today is the need for improved facilities. “The key to ensunng and
building upon UNC’s current reputation and ranking is people, Shelton said_
“Specifically, we need to provide the atmosphere, facilities, opportunities and
challenges that attract the best students, staff and faculty.”
From his experiences in California, Shelton said he is familiar with the
need for improved facilities on university campuses. He said he is excited about
the Higher Education Improvement Bond on this month s election ballot _ e
believes new buildings, particularly science buildings, are cntical to the future
«iirress of UNC-CH. Today, he said, universities must operate as businesses.
Shelton hopes to work closely with the Executive Vice-Chancellor, who ensures
that faculty meet the necessary state requirements. He hopes cooperation between
both offices will ensure that the needs for both the students and staff are met.
Shelton said he talked to student leaders during his visits to the campus in
order to gain a sense of student concerns. Using this knowledge he said he woud
work alongside other university officials to implement programs beneficial to stu
dents He said he plans to remain in contact with students once he amves on the
campus in February. “People need to see that the Provost office is open and w
comine to faculty, students and staff,” he said.
Shelton said that he looks forward to working with Chancellor James
Moeser He believes they share many of the same beliefs on tl^ future of the
J^nTversity “He is so open and welcoming,” he said, adding, pur disciplines
colhLnt each other.” One of the beliefs shared by Chancellor Moeser and
ShTlton is that Carolina will continue to be one of the top universities in the
nation “1 think Chapel Hill has the opportunity to not only maintain its quality,
^et better ” he said. However, Shelton said the future of the Umversity will
depend on th; dedication and cooperation of everyone mvolved on the campus.
^t s not going to happen quickly. It will be because you have a lot of talented
people who are willing to come together to make the institution great.
Matthew Shaw may be reached at
pshaw@email.unc.edu
April Bethea may be reached at adbethea@email.unc.edu
November 2000