The UNC Board of Governors will hold its first public comment session Friday in response to months of protests from students since Margaret Spellings assumed office as UNC President. Spellings introduced the idea, along with livestreaming board meetings, as an effort at transparency.
As the News and Observer reported on Monday:
After months of protests at its meetings, the UNC Board of Governors will host regular sessions for public comment starting this week.
Public comment periods will be held following board meetings for about an hour. As many as 15 speakers will be allowed to speak to the board on any relevant university matter for up to three minutes. A panel of Board of Governors members – about five – will attend.
The first session will be held Friday at the UNC Center for School Leadership Development in Chapel Hill. Anyone who wants to speak must sign up about 20 minutes before the session.
The opportunity for public input was suggested by UNC President Margaret Spellings, who has faced opposition from groups of student protesters since she started in March. Spellings also launched an effort to live streamboard meetings.
“Hosting these sessions will be an ongoing part of our effort to operate more transparently,” Spellings said Monday during a conference call with reporters.
The public comment session will be held in Room 128 of the UNC Center for School Leadership Development, 140 Friday Center Dirve, Chapel Hill, at 1:00 p.m. or 30 minutes after the meeting adjourns. In-person registration at the sign-in table prior to the public comment session is required to speak to the Board.
More information on the UNC Board of Governors meeting and the public comment session here.
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