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November 1, 2005 |
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 CHANCELLOR
PHIL DUBOIS UNC CHARLOTTE By Julius Melton Today we had a chance to meet and greet UNCC's new Chancellor, Dr. Phil Dubois. Ever since Charlotte's own branch of the UNC system came into being, soon after World War II, Charlotte Rotarians have enjoyed the honor of having all its CEOs as fellow members; so we listened with keen interest to Dr. Dubois, even though we were forewarned that he was not yet ready to reveal a "grand plan" for UNCC's future, or whatever it is that a new "boss" is expected to unveil at some point early in his or her new "reign." One of the first things he said was that he intended to "listen and learn" for yet another six months, so as to have a firm idea of where UNCC is at the present time and what its people's aspirations look like. He is a man who put together an impressive record at the institution he now heads, in the 1990s, when he was its provost and chief academic officer. He left Charlotte in 1997 for the presidency of the University of Wyoming. His eight years in the top spot at that Western state's leading college enabled him to hone other administrative and leadership skills, and drew the UNCC search committee to him as a natural choice to succeed our own fellow-member Jim Woodward, who turned over his job to Dr. Dubois this summer, on July 17. (Jim was our club president in 2001-02). Phil has been given much credit for leading UNCC academically into its current status as a doctoral degree granting institution. UNCC's search committee spoke of its hopes that he could now help bring our local university into the ranks of recognized research institutions. In answer to a Rotarian's question today, he agreed that the initiatives taken by philanthropist David Murdock "up the road" in Cabarrus County, might serve as a step in that research direction, although UNCC's role has so far been seen more as facilitating some of the hands-on pre-college teaching and research in science, that are parts of the plan. The Concord project is still in the early planning stages, he pointed out, and awaits the large infusion of money from the legislature, that will be needed. His conversation with us was frank and informative. We learned more about the vulnerability of even our stronger public institutions to the ups and downs of legislative opinion and available revenues. One Rotarian asked about the "de-facto privatization" of public higher education. The expression implies that lowered public financial support forces public universities to raise more and more private money and to charge students' families a larger and larger percentage of the cost of schooling. Chancellor Phil worries especially about the strain that increased costs put on the broad-based demographic group from which UNCC students come. Meanwhile, others in the public would like to see public universities do various additional things. Rotarians asked questions that implied interest in UNCC's adding a law school, or offering a doctorate in public health, or adding competitive football. These all seem far from reality, and fall far below the priority level of strengthening the university's current programs. The Chancellor clearly will welcome whatever influence we and other Charlotte area citizens and corporations can bring to bear on our legislators. His phrase was "advocacy in the power centers." UNCC has made great strides since a decade ago when Dr. Dubois was here earlier. He cited impressive statistics and accomplishments, while pointing out areas where more progress is needed. For example, the 41 doctorates awarded last year are a source of pride, but 50 is the threshold into what a non-academic might call the "big leagues." The faculty is strong, but UNCC is out there trying to recruit top academics, with some weaknesses in what it can offer-e. g., the state system does not provide health insurance for dependents of faculty and staff members. Chancellor Phil's background is good stuff for a "How I Got Where I'm At" program at a Rotary Club. Educated first (college-wise) at California's U. Cal. At Davis, he moved on to the University of Wisconsin's main campus for his Ph. D., in political science and public law, received in 1978. He must be viewing current happenings in Washington, D.C. with interest, since his research and writing pursuits have centered on "judicial selection," as well as court reform and campaign financing. How he could continue to follow those interests now, as "administrative dad" to 20,000 UNCC students is, however, hard to imagine. Dr. Dubois brought us a frank, but up-beat message. Clearly he expects to face a challenging "selling" job, on the state level, even while cooperating warmly with his fellow leaders of North Carolina's higher education institutions. We seem to have an energetic and bright leader-again-at UNCC, and one to whose contributions we can look forward. Head Table: Ed Lewis, Elsie Garner, Herb Harriss, Ed Kizer, David Dunn, Dee Dee Murphy; Invocation: Floyd Davis Visitors & Guests: Janice Stevens; Health & Happiness: David Anderson; Song: Alan Barnhardt
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Revised: January 24, 2008.