Here’s how Carolina’s new school got its name

Carolina announced plans last fall for the creation of a new school to position the University as a national leader in information, library and data sciences scholarship and teaching. The school would combine the expertise of the UNC School of Data Science and Society and the UNC School of Information and Library Science.

Since then, Stan Ahalt’s been fielding the same question around campus about the new school.

“So do you have a name?”

Now he does. Carolina announced that its new school, launching July 1, will be called the School of Data and Information Sciences.

Ahalt, currently serving as SDSS dean and the inaugural dean of SDIS, and interim SILS dean Diane Kelly answered questions about the naming of the new school and preparations for its launch.

How was the name selected?

Kelly: As part of the process of creating a new school, we have several working groups. One is the New School Identity working group, focusing on the new name and the school’s mission, which they’re now working on. The group has six members and consists of faculty and staff from SILS and SDSS.

The working group surveyed students, faculty, staff, alumni and other stakeholders and held tiny cafes at SILS and SDSS to engage those who passed by, often students, by offering snacks for name ideas. The working group ended up with about 160 unique names before making a small number of recommendations to the new school task force, which is composed of SILS and SDSS leaders who have been overseeing the development of the new school. The task force considered the recommendations of the working group, and then Stan and I recommended a final name to the provost, who then sought further approval from Chancellor Roberts and the University of North Carolina System.

Why was this name picked?

Ahalt: We had a set of criteria, and one thing we were trying to do was make sure the name didn’t cause any confusion. At the same time, we wanted the name to carry a little pizzazz. I think this name will not come as a surprise to people, and I think they’ll be able to quickly identify why we chose it. I think we’re doing something that’s consistent with what’s happening at many other universities.

Kelly: From the information and library science perspective, many of our peer schools are called iSchools or information schools, or schools of information sciences. We know the word “library” is important to many of our stakeholders, and it’s also important to us. We want everyone to know that libraries will still be a central part of what the new school does and that the values conveyed by the word “libraries” will continue to shine brightly in SDIS. The new school will support institutions, technologies, communities and practices that promote the creation, access, use and stewardship of information for everyone.

How much does having a name help generate excitement and provide certainty about the new school?

Ahalt: I get asked what the new name will be on a daily basis. I think this will be reassuring to most folks, most importantly students. They’ll be able to say, “OK. We’re doing something that’s very reasonable.” And they’ll know that their degree and direction they’re headed is safe and be able to understand how this new entity is going to think about its identity.

Kelly: The name unifies us and allows us to progress with the work needed to bring the two schools together functionally.

What else are the working groups and task force working on?

Ahalt: We’re determining SDIS’ overall leadership structure and how staff and different groups are going to fit. To be one community, we have to figure out how to distribute ourselves in appropriate ways. We have two buildings about 10 minutes apart, so that’ll be an interesting challenge: figuring out how to organize ourselves to maximize the right types of collaborations.

Kelly: The One School Community working group has already made significant progress identifying ways to bring SILS and SDSS together. We’ve already started some activities and implemented some suggestions they’ve made — from social events to coworking and programs to support collaboration.

What else do you want the Carolina community to know about the creation of SDIS?

Ahalt: I’m proud that we’ve come together with such goodwill. In every case I can think of, we’ve tried to listen to one another and reach some kind of understanding. I have a high degree of appreciation for the direction the SILS and SDSS faculty have pointed us in. The University is showing it’s dedicated to adapting as workforce needs evolve. Chancellor Roberts is clear about the importance of artificial intelligence, and certainly this is a step in that direction. I think the state of North Carolina can look to its flagship with great pride for having this type of flexibility and forethought.

Kelly: This new configuration of people, programs and expertise creates exciting possibilities for scholarship, teaching and professional practice that can address some of the most pressing and consequential issues facing society today. We are grateful to all the staff and faculty who have stepped up to contribute to the creation of the new school. They have approached this work with integrity, openness and kindness, and have been an inspiring force behind it all.