News Release

Chancellor announces initiatives to enhance Carolina’s
engagement with state, K-12 at ‘State of University’ address

CHAPEL HILL -- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chancellor James Moeser is convening a panel of senior campus leaders to recommend how Carolina might most effectively mobilize resources to benefit the state.

Moeser announced the new task force today (Sept. 15) during his annual "State of the University" address to faculty, staff and students.

"We can and must do more," he said. "We have a responsibility to continue leading and probing with humility and curiosity for opportunities to match our resources with the state’s needs. Our commitment to engagement and public service is part of Carolina’s genetic code."

In spring 2004, Moeser launched "Carolina Connects," which sought to strengthen the connections between the university and the lives of North Carolinians and their communities. From April 2004 through May 2005, Moeser and other university officials made nearly 50 visits to cities and towns statewide, talking with residents and leaders and highlighting the university’s involvement in their communities.

Moeser plans to continue those visits during this academic year.

The Chancellor’s Task Force on Engagement with North Carolina will work directly with Moeser, and will report preliminary findings and recommendations in December.

"These challenges facing our state are urgent," Moeser said at today’s address, "and we must respond accordingly."

As a specific component of that effort, School of Education Dean Thomas James is leading an initiative to mobilize Carolina resources to help the state’s schools achieve dramatic gains in teaching and learning for all children.

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded the School of Education a $10 million grant to be the nation’s lead school of education tackling rural school reform. In addition, LEARN North Carolina, a statewide network of educators using the Internet to improve K-12 education, recently launched a new Web site to help teachers and students more easily find the resources they need. LEARN NC is a program of the School of Education; the program’s Web site receives 10,000 visitors daily and provides support to teachers and students in all N.C. counties.

James will work directly with State Board of Education Chairman Howard Lee on the new teaching and learning initiative, Moeser said.

"But this problem is not the province of the School of Education alone," Moeser said during his address. "I am committing Carolina’s full range of intellectual power to address these complex issues."

Moeser’s address also focused on the importance of Carolina’s engagement internationally, economic development, the Carolina Covenant, scholarships and the importance of diversity within the campus community.

For a full transcript of Moeser’s speech, visit www.unc.edu.

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Note: Those wishing to view Moeser’s speech may do so at 7 p.m. today and Friday (Sept. 16) through Time Warner Cable in Chapel Hill (Channel 4).

Contacts: Mike McFarland, (919) 962-8593; or Deb Saine, (919) 962-8415 or deborah_saine@unc.edu