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James Moeser wants Carolina to be the nation's best public university.
On Feb. 12, he discovered that his vision for Carolina matches Robert
Sullivan's vision for Kenan-Flagler Business School.
"We will never compromise our aspirations and our high expectations," the
business school dean told the chancellor. "Our goal is to be viewed among the
very best."
Moeser was at Kenan-Flagler as part of his Listen and Learn tour, a series of
visits at each of the University's 13 schools, the College of Arts and Sciences
and other major campus units.
The tour's goal is to acquaint the new chancellor with the University's major
units and give him the chance to learn about the challenges and opportunities
they face. Each unit determines the format of its visit.
At Kenan-Flagler, Moeser met with Sullivan and the business school's other top
administrators. Robert Shelton, who became Carolina's executive vice chancellor
and provost Feb. 1, also sat in on the session.
Sullivan began by giving Moeser and Shelton an overview of the business
school.
He noted the school's high rankings in publications such as Business Week and
U.S. News & World Report.
He described the love the school's alumni feel for Kenan-Flagler and their
willingness to give back.
He mentioned the rise of the school's executive MBA program and the new
facilities that have helped make that rise happen.
Sullivan also listed the school's challenges: the need to pay salaries that
will keep and attract top-flight faculty; the need to have a diverse faculty
and staff; the need to keep and attract information technology specialists; the
need to increase the school's global presence; the need to establish a "brand"
identity that will resonate with the public.
And, Sullivan said, the need to do all of this in an environment that is as
competitive as any found in the private sector.
"We're competing with the best (business) schools in the world, and they would
like to eat our lunch," he said.
Moeser said he found Sullivan's presentation "heartening", because it echoed
his call for Carolina.
"It's fun to talk about a place that's already so good that wants to be
better," he said.
And Carolina's goal to be the best goes hand-in-hand with Kenan-Flagler's
ambitions.
"We can't succeed if business fails," Moeser said.
In a question-and-answer session following Sullivan's presentation, Moeser
addressed issues ranging from the state's current budget deficit to distance
learning.
On the former topic, the chancellor said the University's strong record of
grant and private support means the campus is less dependent on state funds and
should come through OK.
On distance learning, he said Carolina's professional schools could provide
continuing education "for the world," a move that would help boost the
University's brand identity. Shelton said it will be important that the content
of distance learning programs gets due consideration as technology moves ahead.
Asked what he thinks makes Carolina excellent, Moeser said it's that the
University is a great research institution that hasn't "turned its back on
students."
"There's a nurturing spirit here," he said.
James W. Dean Jr., associate dean for Kenan-Flagler's MBA program, said he was
glad that Moeser and Shelton came by.
"It's a great opportunity to hear about their plans to move the University
forward and also to tell them about all the great things happening in the
business school that are consistent with their efforts," he said.
"We're really happy that they made time to see us."
The chancellor's Listen and Learn tour began in December and will continue for
the next several months. The order of tour stops is based on when the tour site
was established -- the older the site, the sooner the visit. So far, in
addition to Kenan-Flagler, Moeser has visited the schools of law, education,
medicine and pharmacy and the College of Arts and Sciences. Shelton will accompany him in future stops when
possible.
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