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Editor's note: The following is an edited transcript of an April 22 interview with Acting Chancellor William McCoy. McCoy stepped in April 12 to fill in during Chancellor Michael Hooker's leave of absence. McCoy has deep ties to the University, having graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1955 with a degree in business administration. He has served on the Board of Visitors, the Bicentennial Campaign Steering Committee, the Board of Visitors of the Kenan-Flagler Business School and as chair of the National Development Council. Since January, he has served on the board of directors of the new UNC Health Care System. From 1995 to 1998 he worked at UNC General Administration as vice president for finance. That came after a 35-year career with the BellSouth Corp., where he retired as vice chair of the board.
Gazette What was your reaction when President Broad asked you to take on this task? What made you decide to take on the job?
McCoy My first reaction was one of real sincere regret about [Chancellor Hooker's] illness. Then I began to think about the school and what a great institution Carolina is -- great faculty and staff, excellent students, the fact that I had such a love for it. And so my reaction was that if I was needed I was pleased and privileged to step in for what hopefully will be a short time.
Gazette What first steps have you taken as acting chancellor? What are your priorities for the University during your time here?
McCoy The first Monday that I was on the campus, April 12, [President Broad] came with me and we both met with several groups on campus -- my staff, the cabinet, all the deans, student leaders and the faculty leadership. Each meeting was lengthy enough to have a pretty good discussion if they had any questions on their minds -- they would ask me, for example, about my approach to the job -- so those were very productive meetings. Since that time I have been meeting one-on-one with a number of the leaders of these various groups to learn more about their strategic objectives, their specific points of emphasis. Throughout these meetings what I have tried to do is to convey the idea that I would hope to be able to be supportive of their efforts. I would like to be able to create an environment in which they can be most effective. And as Chancellor Hooker asked me to do, I'm trying very much to maintain this great University on the good trajectory that it was already on. The primary emphasis that I'm going to try to bring is being supportive of the leaders already working on specific directions [such as prospective enrollment growth; faculty support; and the need for academic, residential and research space.] As I've met with the faculty, as I've met with several deans, I've been very impressed with the fact that they have very clear strategic directions, and I will be doing anything I can to help move things along.
Gazette How would you describe your management style?
McCoy I tend to try to operate in an open and consultative manner.
Gazette Your past experience is highlighted by a long career with BellSouth/AT&T and serving as vice president for finance for the UNC system. How do you think those experiences have prepared you for working as acting chancellor?
McCoy My experience in both business and General Administration equip me in some ways [such as in fund-raising and working with the governor and the legislature on the University budget] to be very helpful and supportive even though I'm not an academician. So one thing I'll be doing is planning for and initiating the [$1 billion-plus] campaign. These things will go on and hopefully Chancellor Hooker will be back early enough to resume it, but we're going to try to avoid any diminishing of that effort. Given that I've worked with [the legislature] a good bit in the last four years, I'm certainly expecting and hoping to be helpful in working with the very able people already working [with lawmakers on behalf of Carolina]. There are a lot of similarities among large organizations, as well as differences. So many of the things you have to do wherever you are. An executive of an organization this size spends a lot of time on things such as assuring the needed resources being available and allocating resources as effectively as possible based on priorities.
Gazette How have your ties to Carolina and your involvement with your alma mater since graduating prepared you for your current position?
McCoy By virtue of having been on the Board of Visitors -- and still being on the Board of Visitors of Kenan-Flagler -- and having been involved in the [Bicentennial Campaign] and already having gotten involved in the new campaign, that enables you to meet a lot of people both here in Chapel Hill and throughout the state who are close to Carolina. But I know a great number of people here on campus and that gives you a great advantage to start with. I'm accustomed to working with most of them. For example, Dr. Jeff Houpt, CEO of the health care system. We worked very closely throughout all of last year as we developed the legislation [to give UNC Health Care System greater management flexibility.]"
Gazette What would you have the University's faculty, staff and students know about you?
McCoy I would just say how pleased I am to be able to work with them. They're very capable and impressive people. It's a joy to work with them and to try to get our work done well.
Gazette You've lobbied legislators on behalf of the UNC system. Will that be an important part of your work at Carolina?
McCoy I want to be an effective advocate for UNC-Chapel Hill. And when I say "effective advocate" I mean to various important constituents, but certainly the legislature is one of them, but also General Administration and President Broad are another because they can be very helpful and supportive of some our interests.
Gazette Has anything surprised you so far?
McCoy In terms of the general operation of the University, I have not had any surprises. But I guess in the category of surprises would be having the amount of debate and discussion about the labor code matter.
Gazette What role will Bill Friday and Paul Hardin play in your interim administration?
McCoy They are available for consultation and counsel any time I want to contact them. Obviously they have a great deal of experience. They were very effective, active leaders when they were involved with the University directly. So they'll be a big help in providing me with a sounding board, a frame of reference, a perspective.
Gazette Is there anything Carolina faculty, staff and students can do to help you while you're acting chancellor?
McCoy All of the faculty and staff have offered to help and have been very good and responsive. But they're already doing what is helpful -- and that's being diligent in their work and being focused on their priorities.
Gazette How does it feel to be back on the Carolina campus?
McCoy It feels great. I'm enjoying this role with this great University. I'm glad to be able to fill in for a while, while Chancellor Hooker recuperates.
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