Today the UNC-Chapel Hill chapter of the AAUP, UE 150, and TransparUNCy sent a joint statement to Chancellor Roberts, Interim Provost Dean, Dean White, and Dean Rieckenberg demanding that UNC Chapel Hill ensure the safety of its students and staff in the face of domestic terrorism.

In his November 13 presentation, independent auditor Dr. Howard Bunsis (Professor of Accounting, Eastern Michigan University) posed the question to everyone in the audience, “Why is a university with a AAA bond rating and billions in reserves considering layoffs and cutting budgets?” UNC Chapel Hill learned this week that all three independent bond rating agencies -- Moodys, S&P, and Fitch -- gave it an outstanding AAA bond rating, placing it in a small minority of universities at the top rank. Not only that, the University currently has $1.9 billion in unrestricted reserves, and $1 billion cash on hand. Bunsis made it clear that one of the things the University is dedicated to is spending its money on high-level administrators and their salaries. From 2016-2024, the number of administrators in Chapel Hill has increased by 51.1%, but the full-time faculty by only 10.8%, and the staff has been shrunk by 5.3%. Over the same period, administrators’ salaries in the UNC budget have increased by 106%, but the instructional budget only by 36.2%, and research budget by 41.7%. Yet the Chapel Hill administration and its Board of Trustees are seeking to implement a $70 million austerity cut.

Michael Palm, President of the AAUP chapter, UNC Chapel Hill, stated: “This audit lays bare the truth: any cuts to programs or personnel at UNC-Chapel Hill are the result of political pressure, not financial constraints. UNC’s budgeting decisions must be transparent and inclusive of students, faculty, and staff as well as accountants, lawyers, and administrators.”

Read the full press release and watch the presentation revealing that the university is in stellar financial condition, has a huge buildup in administrators and their salaries, but seeks to impose a $70 million cut on its lowest-paid staff.

UNC Audit Analysis Presentation

Thursday, 11/13 @ 5:30 pm, Kerr Hall 1001

Please join us in person or virtually to receive the findings from Howard Bunsis's independent audit of UNC finances. Bunsis's analysis equips us with data to challenge ServiceFirst austerity measures to reduce faculty and staff numbers, salaries, and benefits.

The presentation begins at 5:30 pm and will be followed by a Q&A. The main entrance to Kerr will be unlocked until 5:45, though facilitators will be available to let you in if you're arriving late.

The event is especially exciting as it represents a collaborative effort between UE 150 (grad students and staff workers), UNC-AAUP (us), and TransparUNCy (undergraduates).

Registration here! https://tinyurl.com/2025-ue-aaup-audit

No Compact for Higher Ed at UNC

After the rally Friday led by Sunrise UNC and other student groups, Chancellor Roberts said at the Faculty Council meeting that afternoon that UNC would not agree to the Trump administration's Compact for Higher Ed. See the statement we distributed at the meeting.

No new accreditor for UNC (at least for now)

At the Faculty Council meeting, Provost Dean said UNC-CH would go with the same accreditor in 2027, rather than switching to CPHE, which met with applause. Last week the UNC-Charlotte AAUP chapter published this powerful letter to the editor outlining the stakes of the CPHE.

Discriminating Against Dissent

Read the AAUP-MESA report on The Weaponization of Civil Rights Law to Repress Campus Speech on Palestine.

The NC AAUP provides free legal help for members

If you feel you need to speak to a lawyer about violations of your rights or about the state of the law surrounding academic freedom and free speech, contact https://www.aaupnc.org/.

Chapter Organizing

We're identifying chapter liaisons for departments and academic units. If you'd like to volunteer, contact Erik Gellman at esgellman@gmail.com.

If you would like to help with these weekly updates or help maintain and update our chapter's website and social media, please contact Michael Palm at mwpalm@gmail.com.

And everyone is welcome to join our weekly working meetings Fridays from Noon-1pm, even if just to say hi and see what's going on.

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