Will UNC’s GOP trustees step away from cocktail parties, basketball tickets, campaign trail and actually stand up to campus’s leftist rabble?
Apparently, the iron-fisted leftist stranglehold on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus rages on. Apparently, the mostly Republican-appointed trustees are happy with the cocktail parties and basketball tickets and can’t be bothered. Here are the details thus far:
My name is Harrington Shaw, and I am the president of the Student Free Speech Alliance at UNC-Chapel Hill. We are committed to protecting free expression, academic freedom, and viewpoint diversity at UNC. This mission requires a strong commitment to the principle of institutional neutrality and staunch opposition to viewpoint discrimination. Both of these values are enshrined in UNC policy and First Amendment case law.
Thus, I was concerned when I learned that an event sponsored by UNC’s chapter of Turning Point USA featuring political commentator and author Candace Owens was denied for both CLE credit and event approval on Heel Life. It is no secret that Owens’ views are unpopular on college campuses, and considering that the hosting student organization was given no substantive explanation for the event’s denial, we are concerned that this action was taken in direct response to the viewpoints espoused by Owens or the sponsoring student organizations. We kindly request that you urge those responsible to reconsider these actions promptly, and we suggest that they consider next steps in accordance with the details below.
UNC’s adoption of the Kalven Committee Report binds the university to a standard of institutional neutrality. To quote the report, “neutrality as an institution has its complement in the fullest freedom for its faculty and students as individuals to participate in political action and social protest. It finds its complement, too, in the obligation of the university to provide a forum for the most searching and candid discussion of public issues.”Similarly, UNC’s adoption of the Chicago Principles requires that the university protect free expression for all political viewpoints.According to the Chicago Principles, “the University’s fundamental commitment is to the principle that debate or deliberation may not be suppressed because the ideas put forth are thought by some or even by most members of the University community to be offensive, unwise, immoral, or wrong-headed. It is for the individual members of the University community, not for the University as an institution, to make those judgments for themselves, and to act on those judgments not by seeking to suppress speech, but by openly and vigorously contesting the ideas that they oppose. Indeed, fostering the ability of members of the University community to engage in such debate and deliberation in an effective and responsible manner is an essential part of the University’s educational mission.”Additionally, the university is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of viewpoint, particularly with regard to student organizations.For example, the United States Supreme Court has held that universities cannot make student organization funding contingent upon viewpoint. Rosenberger v. Rectors of the University of Virginia (1995). In the same vein, UNC must not deny events or particular credit opportunities to student organizations because of their viewpoints or the viewpoints espoused at their events.
I have read Turning Point USA’s Heel Life event request and the TPUSA president’s appeal, and no element of the submission merits outright denial. Furthermore, the event clearly meets therequirementsnecessary to be granted approval for CLE credit. Satisfying one criterion, it “engages students with the work of a…thought leader” and someone “that most students would not be able to easily access outside of their UNC experience.” Satisfying a second criterion, it “transports the student beyond the role of passive listener” by inviting students to pose “questions and to challenge her ideas as part of a constructive dialogue.” It satisfies a third criterion in that it “challenges or supports students to reflect on or think critically about social, economic and/or political differences.” Notably, events only need to satisfy two of four criteria for CLE approval.
We fear that this event was denied for CLE precisely because offering attendees CLE credit generates high demand for events, and those responsible for approval disagree with the speaker’s viewpoint. As the event is scheduled to occur in only a few weeks, the delays caused by denial on Heel Life and for CLE credit are likely to have hampered the student organization’s execution of this event already, and the university’s decisions must be reevaluated immediately. […]
Don’t expect any relief or support from any of the Republican-appointed UNC trustees. The Left is in total control of the faculty, administration, Student Services, and campus activities. Conservative students know the trustees don’t care and have given up on them. I live in Chapel Hill and talk with students a lot. The situation is disgusting to say the least.
We need legislators who will put principled conservatives in these seats instead of selling them to the highest bidder. Florida and Texas are good examples of states that have been passing good legislation against wokeness at their universities. We also need similar legislation in NC.
Briner and Boliek are both fake “Republican” infiltrators in our party.
I can only speak for myself.. I was clearly concerned at reports that bureaucrats within the university had held up or denied a speaking engagement from Candace Owens. After forceful and direct inquiry, it’s my understanding that Ms. Owens WILL be speaking on campus. I look forward to attending the event.
Let me be clear about several accusations lodged: 1. Our current Board, much of it under my leadership, has done more to bring UNC balance than any previous Board or organization. Frankly, we constantly take direct attacks from liberal interests (daily), and work for change against a “woke” agenda. I wear those attacks as a badge of honor. The Governor has labeled me and our Board “far right conservatives” intent on “meddling.” Again… a badge of honor because our meddling is 1. Asking tough questions, 2. Holding people accountable and 3. Saying NO to things that don’t square with North Carolina values.
2. The work continues. We’re working to change a deep-rooted culture bias against anything conservative, so while there may be newsworthy changes in some days…. the overall change needed will take time and persistence.
3. I am, personally, a committed conservative who has proven my ability to engage change by: leading budget reform, introducing the School of Civic Life and Leadership, pushing through policy to promote free speech (amazing we had to do that), and standing up and voting NO on Nicole Hannah Jones and the 1619 fiction.
I have never claimed to be perfect, but I have taken a stand when many before me failed to say anything. (One note: I’ve been crossing N.C. meeting people for the last several months. Lots of BBQ and slaw!!! Not many … if any … cocktails. I did have a beer the other day.)
Republicans across this state have welcomed me on the campaign trail as I have proven to have conservative courage in the face of the organized left. I believe that I am the right person to be the next N.C. Auditor, and will take the approach of standing up to what’s wrong and supporting what’s right across our great state.
Dave.
When will Silent Sam be returned to his rightful place? The stinking Maoists on campus do not need to be allowed their Cultural Revolution victory!
ONE candidate for Auditor has said they’ll audit the NCSBE and the County BOEs to ensure adherence to state and federal law. That candidate is Charles Dingee.
Mr. Boliek, please stop labeling yourself as a conservative. It is disingenuous of you to do so. If you are conservative, why have you been a loyal Democrat until the last year? Work the polls, volunteer with the party, make phone calls, knock on doors, and address envelopes with your fellow Republicans. Once you’ve demonstrated the faithfulness of your “conversion” and paid your dues, we’ll consider voting for you…in 10 years or so.
No one criticizes president Trump or President Reagan or Sen Helms … all of whom became Republicans close in time to their campaigns for office (add Sen Lauch Faircloth). The Republican Party is 30 percent of N.C., Democrats are 33 percent and unaffiliated are 37 percent. The party frankly needs more conservative Democrats and unaffiliated to switch to Republican in an effort to grow the party both in organization and financially. There are conservative democrats-very few left to be sure- but many, many unaffiliated conservatives.
Being a life long republican alone, and working the polls, does not in and of itself qualify a person to be State Auditor, for example. Your criticism is accepted….. I certainly understand it. I have proven myself to be a conservative in my public roles as well as in my private life. I am also a lifelong North Carolinian.
If we haven’t yet met…. I am not sure…. I would welcome a chance to meet me so you can size me up. I am a good person. Most important to have Republicans in the council of state after November…. Only way ….to your point …. To assure conservative governance….. I’ll support whoever wins if I do not.
lol. The people who quote percentages of voters based on the voter roll data are like those who quote The Daily Sun. How many real, eligible residents are actually registered to vote?
You do realize over 785,000 registrants have no SSN or DL# in the system, right? And you realize when they release the those who preregistered at 16- and 17- years old once they turn 18, many of them get registered with 2 or 3 voter registration records? One teenager becomes 3 voters. Shazam.
People need to stop reporting registration stats using faulty information. Just sayin.
That was a different era. There were actual conservatives in the Democrat Party, then, but today conservative Democrats have been an extinct critter for some time. All that is left in the Democrat Party now are socialists, liberals, and a few opportunists. None of those categories are people I want as a Republican candidate. The last genuine conservative to serve as a state officer of the NC Democrat Party, C.J. Hyatt of Winston-Salem (and that was back in the 1970s) used to call the last category “go along / get along Democrats” and he had total distain for them because they lacked any set of political principles whatsoever.
Those who analyze elections based on registration numbers are not very bright. I learned decades ago from one of the best political brains I have ever personally known, Lee Atwater, that the smart way to analyze the voter pool is to look at voter behavior, not voter registration. The simple fact is that most Unaffiliated voters are not ticket splitters or up for grabs. Most of them regulatly vote a straight party ticket, either Democrat or Republican. When one calculates Republican and Democrat base vote, looking at voting behavior, the GOP base vote in North Carolina is somewhat higher than the Democrat base vote with a small segment of swing voters who can go either way. The Republican base vote statewide is a few points short of a majority, so to win elections, it is necessary to either get a portion of that swing vote or to have a much higher turnout of the GOP base than the Democrat base.
As an alumna and parent of students at UNC, I can attest to the veracity of what Mr. Boliek says: the PROGRESSIVE claws are so deep, their vehement anti-White onslaught so relentless and the anti-boy culture so pervasive at the “university” that even the smallest movement to the Right must be considered a victory. And at least Boliek and Preyer have had a few notable wins as he listed above —although he forgot to mention getting rid of that DEI shill Guskiewicz (hard to find a worse man especially after Folt) as his biggest and best! And, to be fair, I am extremely irritated by the Board’s failure to do anything about the anti-White boy crap going on at Kenan-Flagler and the School of Medicine to name a few. But I will take a few wins after DECADES of decline.
I don’t know who I will vote for but I caution my fellow plebes about clinging ferociously to “conservative perfection” (something I too often do). Maybe REAL accomplishments in the RIGHT direction are equally as important (which should in fact disqualify Robinson, but I digress).
We have conserved nothing so what do we have to lose?
And the Gods have spoken!!
The Candace Owens Event is ON at UNC-Chapel Hill!!
https://events2022.tpusa.com/events/the-live-free-tour-at-the-university-of-north-carolina-chapel-hill
If our higher education boards with Republican appointees will not stand up strong against the American cultural revolution going on in our society, then they should not expect my support. Period.
I see no real help in sight. I no longer give to my alma mater. My party (Republican) is in incoherent, incompetent, corrupt shambles. I no longer give to it either.
Why did the Republican UNC trustee board acquiesce to removing Silent Sam in complete violation of state law? Why did they hire liberal chancellor Guskiewicz instead of a conservative? They have the votes to totally dismantle all DEI propaganda influence on campus. Why haven’t they? And why did they support race-based admissions all the way to the Supreme Court? Just asking.