Silence of the Rams

Published January 20, 2015

by Gary Pearce, Talking About Politics, January 19, 2015.

Is there something in the water in Chapel Hill that keeps University big shots from giving straight answers? The same lockjaw that keeps the UNC-CH athletic-academic scandal on the front pages has now spread to the Board of Governors.

 

The board’s non-speak/double-speak non-explanation of why Tom Ross was forced out leaves only one logical inference: It was politics. The chairman might as well have said, “To the victors go the spoils. We’re Republicans, he’s a Democrat, so we pushed him out.”

 

Ross’ forced departure has been rumored for months, if not years, along with the accompanying rumor that Art Pope replace him. The BOG chair said that wouldn’t happen; Pope left the door open. If it does happen after a year-long, national search, the university community may take up pitchforks and torches.

 

You could tell from his statement and from photos that Ross wasn’t happy and wasn’t ready to go. A rumor sprang up immediately that he may run for U.S. Senate. But that’s not likely if he stays in the job another year. And the qualities that make great university presidents do not necessarily make great politicians. See: Erskine Bowles.

 

As a candidate or not, Ross has the network to make an impact in 2016. If he sounds the trumpet, he can mobilize a lot of money behind the candidate or super PAC of his choice.

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January 20, 2015 at 8:35 am
Frank Burns says:

It's a little more nuanced than saying its just politics. Ross was president during a time when Democrats were in control of the legislature. Cost has never been a concern with Democrats and the ever increasing costs of the UNC system was left unchecked. Nobody ever questioned why the costs kept going up beyond the rate of inflation but simply bewailed the high cost of higher education. Very simply Ross did not do his job effectively by allowing the out of control cost increases to occur. In addition he allowed the scandal with phony courses to occur placing sports with a higher priority than education.

January 20, 2015 at 7:33 pm
Rip Arrowood says:

Isn't that amazing???...The UNC system is considered one of the highest rated in the country for best bang for the buck.... Where do some people get their information?

January 22, 2015 at 9:01 am
Frank Burns says:

The left complains about the debt load of college students and expects the public to pay their costs while nobody examines why those costs keep going up. 33% increase a year is unacceptable. http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20141130/ARTICLES/141139985

We've seen college professors serving on non profit boards paid to express their opinion and teaching part time but paid full time.

Ross let costs get out of hand and he needed to be cut loose, just like we do with bad habits.