As each year comes to a close, I take some time to review what the Pope Center accomplished during the previous 52 weeks, to analyze what challenges we still face, and to plan for what awaits us in January and beyond. None of our work here would be possible without you, so I wanted to let you know what your support has allowed us to achieve.
I’m pleased that three of the policy changes recommended by the Pope Center were implemented in 2016:
- The UNC system Board of Governors approved NC’s participation in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement, which will provide greater choice to NC residents seeking online courses and will result in significant savings system-wide.
- The UNC system Board of Governors began live streaming and recording its meetings for the first time. We applaud this step toward greater transparency!
- NC State University eliminated an unconstitutional policy that deprived students of their right to free speech.
We made excellent strides in higher education reform this year, but we have our work cut out for us in 2017. Next year, we plan to publish a report on social justice indoctrination at UNC system schools of education. We will continue to recommend that the UNC system Board of Governors examine partisan centers such as UNC-Chapel Hill’s Center for Civil Rights.
Will you consider making a tax-deductible, end-of-year donation so that our work can advance in 2017? If you have the means, donations of $1,000 and up will secure your Education Council membership, which provides you free entry to all of our events, exclusive updates, as well as opportunities for you to give us feedback on our work. Click here to donate today!
As you may already know, the Pope Center will become the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal at the beginning of next year. We are proud to honor former North Carolina governor and champion of education James G. Martin, and the new name will allow us to create our own identity and focus on our mission of academic renewal.
We appreciate your standing with us while we help build a better model of higher education for North Carolina and the nation!