Erin Gretzinger

Inside UNC-Chapel Hill’s Scrapped Plan to Open a Michigan Campus UNC-Chapel Hill’s “Prometheus” project explored purchasing Kettering University, an engineering school in Flint.

UNC-Chapel Hill's “Prometheus” project explored purchasing Kettering University, an engineering school in Flint, to speed up development of a new college of applied sciences.

From @themhartman.bsky.social for @theassemblync.bsky.social

www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...

Clemens told Roberts that was the wrong way to think about tenure.

“With all due respect, this argument is incorrect,” Clemens wrote, explaining that it did not consider the value faculty generated over time.

Read the story at the link above.

Clemens continued: "The Chancellor has agreed to this strategy based on a net present cost evaluation of the faculty who receive permanent tenure."

Net present cost is an accounting method used to analyze the lifetime cost of an investment.

“The trustees have decided that they are going to address a pending financial crisis by holding up votes on awarding tenure to faculty,” wrote Chris Clemens in a May 3 message, a few weeks before the trustees delayed tenure votes for the second time.

Provost: UNC-CH Chancellor Signed Off On Plan To Delay Tenure Chris Clemens wrote in an email obtained by The Assembly that Chancellor Lee Roberts agreed to delay tenure votes for financial reasons.

BREAKING: @theassemblync.bsky.social obtained an email in which UNC-Chapel Hill's ex-provost said Chancellor Lee Roberts agreed to the Board of Trustees’ controversial move to delay tenure votes for financial reasons.

From me & @themhartman.bsky.social

www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...

What Remains of St. Andrews Following the sudden closure of St. Andrews University, Laurinburg grapples with the fallout and a now-empty campus.

Following the sudden closure of St. Andrews University, Laurinburg grapples with the fallout and the now-empty campus property at the heart of the community.

For @theassemblync.bsky.social and Border Belt Independent

www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...

St. Andrews’ story offers a cautionary tale for other small towns as more colleges struggle to survive.

Closing a college is not just a heartbreaking process—it’s an exhausting, expensive, & gut-wrenching one that can leave vulnerable people & communities in the lurch.

Our reporting shows that the shock & uncertainty surrounding the school’s quick closure will impact its lasting legacy in Laurinburg.

“There’s even just this mental toll of what it means to just drive by an empty college campus every day,” said Andrew Koricich of App State.

When St. Andrews suddenly closed in May, it left behind a lot of questions.

When would employees get their paychecks? What would become of the university’s land? And what does the closure mean for Laurinburg, a rural town of 15,000?

me & @brappaport.bsky.social tracked down the answers.

What Remains of St. Andrews Following the sudden closure of St. Andrews University, Laurinburg grapples with the fallout and a now-empty campus.

I'm quoted in this great piece diving into the closure of St. Andrews University in North Carolina and what it means for the local community. The Assembly is one of the best local sources for higher ed coverage in the country.

www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...

Below is a breakdown of the targeted areas for cuts

UNC-Chapel Hill Unveils Plan to Cut $70 Million in Response to Funding Pressure UNC-Chapel Hill will cut 2 percent of its operating budget ahead of anticipated federal and state funding reductions.

UNC-Chapel Hill leaders revealed a plan on Wednesday to cut approximately $70 million in costs—or 2 percent of its operating budget.

From me and @themhartman.bsky.social for @theassemblync.bsky.social

www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...

Read the full memo here:

northcarolina.edu/wp-content/u...

The trustee-led committees will receive briefings from their chancellor or other senior administrators, including some closed-session meetings about the performance of “relevant” personnel.

In a memo dated June 17 (which was posted on a system website but not announced publicly), 2 BOG members wrote that while campuses made an "initial effort" to comply, the committees will ensure schools demonstrate "meaningful verification that those realignments succeeded."

UNC Board of Governors Demands New DEI Compliance Committees The campus-level committees will scrutinize whether schools have complied with policies targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

NEW: The UNC System's Board of Governors has directed campuses to form new committees to scrutinize compliance w/ system DEI policies.

Each committee’s work will continue until the BOG "deems its specific oversight no longer needed."

www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...

Saint Augustine's University Appeals to Alumni for Donations Following Loss of Accreditation Saint Augustine's University leaders appeal to alumni for donations following loss of accreditation, sharing information about SAU's financial standing.

Revealing reporting from @indyweek.bsky.social's @ccourtneybohl.bsky.social about a call hosted by St. Augustine's University officials.

SAU's debts exceed $47 million (not including a $20 million default judgement SAU is contesting). Enrollment is about 53 students.

indyweek.com/news/wake/sa...

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UNC's $97 Million Online Education Gambit Hits Headwinds Project Kitty Hawk, UNC’s ambitious foray into online education, has slashed enrollment projections. Will the investment pay off?

“UNC’s $97 Million Online Education Gambit Hits Headwinds” from @pamkelley.bsky.social

www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...

The Closure of ‘PCB Hall’ Reflects Problems Across UNC System NC State's move to shutter Poe Hall has raised concerns across the UNC system about exposure to hazardous substances in aging buildings.

“The Closure of ‘PCB Hall’ Reflects Problems Across UNC System” from @emilyvespa.bsky.social

www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...

A Professor Walks Into a Storm The dean of UNC-CH’s School of Civic Life and Leadership promotes civil discourse. Critics highlight the school’s conservative roots.

“A Professor Walks Into a Storm” from @themhartman.bsky.social

www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...

The Fight that Fractured Saint Augustine’s University At the embattled Saint Augustine's University, internal complaints and lawsuits reveal disputes about how the board has managed the school.

“The Fight that Fractured Saint Augustine’s University” from
@ccourtneybohl.bsky.social and I, in collaboration with @indyweek.bsky.social

www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...

Who's Behind Big Cuts at UNC-Greensboro? When cost-cutting universities hire consultants, who’s really making the decisions? UNC-Greensboro offers a case study.

“Who’s Behind Big Cuts at UNC-Greensboro?” from @reporterdavidj.bsky.social and I, in partnership with @chronicle.com

www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...

I'm excited to share that @theassemblync.bsky.social has won a North Carolina Press Association award for our higher education coverage!

The Duke University/Green-Rossiter Award recognizes outstanding reporting on higher education issues in the state. Revisit the award-winning stories ⬇️

The Fight that Fractured Saint Augustine’s University At the embattled Saint Augustine's University, internal complaints and lawsuits reveal disputes about how the board has managed the school.

Earlier this year, @ccourtneybohl.bsky.social and I reported on the years of instability and internal discord at the Raleigh HBCU. As the school's challenges mounted, this outcome felt increasingly inevitable.

www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...

Saint Augustine’s University Loses Accreditation, Promises Legal Action Against Accreditor Saint Augustine's University has lost accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

BREAKING: SAU lost its arbitration process, affirming SACSCOC's decision to pull their accreditation status.

More @indyweek.bsky.social ⬇️

indyweek.com/news/saint-a...

A 4/4 Teaching Load Becomes Law at Most of Wisconsin’s Public Universities The mandate, included in the state’s new budget, applies to full-time faculty across the University of Wisconsin system — except at the two R1 universities, where professors must carry 2/2 loads.

Wisconsin just made 4/4 teaching loads the law for all full-time faculty members at the state's public universities (except the university system's two research universities, where everyone must teach a 2/2 load)

In North Carolina, It’s Do or DEI Federal and state officials have declared war on DEI at North Carolina’s colleges and universities. But what their orders mean is sometimes far from clear.

It was great to talk with @schachtman.bsky.social on @whqr.bsky.social last week about @theassemblync.bsky.social's recent reporting on the rapidly changing DEI landscape at public and private colleges in North Carolina.

Tune in and check out the full story below!

www.whqr.org/local/2025-0...

Trump Administration Wants to Close Key Weather Labs Across the U.S. The labs are responsible for the forecasting that the nation relies on for storm warnings and emergency preparedness.

The Trump administration is looking to make sweeping cuts at the nation’s weather agencies, including the closure of all federally funded meteorology labs.

www.theassemblync.com/environment/...

Join @theassemblync.bsky.social on July 16 in Raleigh for a conversation with UNC System President Peter Hans!

Nearly half of all tickets have already been claimed. Premium subscribers can reserve their spot and grab a free ticket now; ticket sales will open for basic subscribers tomorrow!