North Carolina People; Molly Broad, President, University of North Carolina

Good evening ladies and gentlemen all of us in North Carolina people hope you had a happy holiday season and we're looking forward now together for the new year. What better way to begin it than to have a conversation with the 15th president of the University of North Carolina. All abroad to talk with us in just a few moments. North Carolina people is brought to you by walkover banking investments and financial services for individuals businesses and corporations. We are here. Let's get started. Welcome to North Carolina people again and so good to see you. Thank you. It's a privilege to be here with you. BELL Well will this visit together and talk about the university in our state where you came from the west coast back to the east coast in a surprise when you got back here. Well I would tell you that the adjustment back to the east coast was much easier than my adjustment going west to California. That's for sure.

But so but California is of an exciting place so to be in higher education is that it's it's an extraordinary state. And because of the significance of the California master plan for higher education and the role that Clarke Curry a longtime friend of yours I know the role that he played in designing the university in California. It has come to be known around the world for its higher education. And yet I was in California during the period of the economic downturn in the 90s. And. What you saw was significant devastation to its university. A great women too. Yes it's hard to believe that that could happen but it certainly did. Luckily for us it didn't happen in the same degree it certainly did not. And it is very interesting to me coming to North Carolina. A state that among the 50 stands out

and has stood out for many many years for its commitment to higher education. And it has sustained that commitment. Now for more than two centuries. Through thick and through thin. And it makes a great difference when the people of the state. Are so deeply connected to their university. Molly you know there were days back there when Clark. We used to have a meal together every year twice a year. Just to talk about our organization because we were so different from everybody else just those two states. And. He he really. I think is more responsible than anyone in the Californias immediate history for the economic growth of that state because he made the universe to do that. And the power of the economy of California. Is clearly connected to the quality of that university. Well now here we are with 16 campuses. They're very different. They're.

Geographically dispersed. Is there strength for us in the state and all that versatile. Oh absolutely. And that is a very very significant characteristic of the University of North Carolina which makes it quite different from California. And I believe the diversity that we enjoy from one campus to another. The School of Science and Math school for the Arts the regional campuses the. Engineering institutions the agriculture and the major research universities. That there is great strength in serving all of the needs of the state needs that can change over time. And our quality I believe is in the great diversity that we enjoy within the University of North Carolina. When you traveled around visiting each one of these new parts of your responsibility. Did you find these people very enthusiastic about their mission but also not only aware of their part.

Of the total world objected but enthusiastic about well not only in the U.S. asked it but with great pride that they are a part. Of a great university serving the needs of their region meeting the needs of their students achieving at levels of national distinction. But most important to them is that they are part of the University of North Carolina. Now let's talk a little bit about this last year of this century and what you're seeing now John the you know the public universities really do three things. I hope you do them well in teaching and research and the demand to be the responsibility of public service and I what what's going to happen with these as you look ahead in the future. We're going to teach the same way carry on research. I've noticed of late that public institutions are becoming very involved in public service of all kinds around the country. Is this what you foresee. Indeed I think the important thing to know is that teaching research and

service continue to be the great missions of the university. What will be different as we move into the new millennium is how we teach. What is the focus of our research and what are the means by which we can best serve the interests of the community of the economy and of the citizens. All great universities in their teaching find a way to build an academic community where faculty and students have an opportunity for close interaction. We're moving into a world in which the pace of change and the knowledge explosion means that that experience particularly at the baccalaureate level is the time when you can learn how to think critically how to reason analytically but also how to work in teams. How to perform in diverse. Environments and how to communicate effectively. And most importantly to

learn how to learn. So the tools are going to be very different and clearly the role of information technology in its various forms will be an important part of enhancing the quality of teaching. But ultimately it is that ability to learn that will sustain a human being over a lifetime not just for their work life. But for the things that make us better human beings that enrich our spirits. In the research arena. Certainly the University of North Carolina which has played such an important part I think of. The Research Triangle Park and how it has evolved because of the state's sustaining commitment to a tuna versity. And now the quality of our research places us in the third rank order position in this country behind California and Texas. Five hundred fifty million dollars a year in federal funds to support research within our

university. But again the nature of that research and I am particularly enthusiastic about some new directions. In biotechnology in the science of the genome and the integration of biology and information technology. We are poised to this day. And when you think about service. There are lots of social problems lots of family problems in this state. How can our university utilize that knowledge. To help solve real problems. At a family and community level and how do we build the bridges. Serving our corporate interests. The bridges between the university and business and certainly the centennial campus at North Carolina State is a great example of how you link education research. And service and work all at the same time. It's a very exciting era for the university.

Molly do you feel fully comfortable in your image or shirt show. It seems to me that the relationship of these us two should send the triangle person in this biotech feel of genetics. We're about as far out there as you can get in the academic world comparatively speaking in this country are oilmen I want to reassure the people that the money is being well yeah we have extraordinary potential because we have in the Triangle area three of the finest research universities anywhere in the world with programs. In medicine and pharmacy in veterinary medicine agriculture and engineering. We are. Maybe fifth or sixth in the country in terms of the significance of biotechnology in our state. It is the next generation of. Technology revolution. And it's interesting in thinking about California probably the number one place in the country at this time is the Bay Area in California. In rich because of Berkeley and UC

San Francisco and Stanford. If there is another place anywhere across this land that has the same quality and the same range of programs it is right here in the Triangle area of North Carolina. You and I sitting here using a medium that I don't understand except I do comes over and goes all of the. There's about to be a revolution here too and. The application when they go digital television I don't really understand it all but Tom has tried hard to teach me but that isn't it. This opens up so many more options does it not if we convert to that system. It does. Tom is trying to teach all of us. But it does and of course it's required by statute. But what it will do is make possible both a higher quality definition. The video as well as audio. But it will also make it possible for us to have multiple channels. And one of the important ways that I

think this television. Station can assist the university. Is when there are multiple channels making that capability available for teaching and learning for the citizens of our state and to make a new meaning for learning for a lifetime. One of the immediate application to that now and certainly would be vastly accelerated is what television and all that you're doing with the school can be made even more. Involved and productive. If you were Charles Coble of doing things with the chemo drugs it wouldn't do that and I know that looks look to the future. I know this is a source of great joy to see how the university can really impact this goo. It is a source of great joy. You have described that accurately. It is what in part is the root of this university. We have done teacher education for decades and decades. And we face in this

country and certainly in this state. A challenge of major proportion to enhance the academic performance of the children of this day. It is absolutely an imperative. And the university has a role to play. In the preparation of teachers who not only have the skills for teaching but who have a deep knowledge of their discipline. And can share that knowledge with their students. We need to provide teachers who. Have utilized clinical experiences and other models of great teaching. And then we need to provide ongoing professional development. And we're working so closely with the superintendent of schools with the community colleges and of course with Governor Hunt who has a deep and abiding commitment. It is an important opportunity for this university and we are eager to step up and do our part. There's never a time when we should stop learning is there. No indeed. And I've heard you

say that you really view this as a challenge from the first grade who would go home. Is that what you are perceiving here. Indeed and for the university itself one of the. Studies that I have just completed and read is a futurist that. Suggests that in our working lives every seven years we will need the equivalent. Of 30 credit hours of university level education in order to maintain our currency. I mean that is startling to me. You know 30 credit hours is a full year of college. And to think about what role the university television all of us can play. In continuing the education. In a world in which it will be a knowledge economy and where our strength will be in the scale of our workers this becomes all the more important and it is a wonderful time for the university to serve this state.

You know it it's interesting. I used to worry a lot about the fact that I didn't think I'm out of college age youth. Would even try to go to college in our state. There just no one in their family had gone before they they did this or were trying to be. You tell us this huge enrollment increases out there. It's going to be a difficult problem to resolve getting the space getting the teachers. It is going to be a great challenge for us. But I hope everyone as they face the challenge keeps in their. Mind. The wonderful story of the first child in a family to complete a university education. And you know those stories of great joy at graduation when a family sees the first member. Of their family. Complete the university. Yes we are facing the biggest growth in enrollment this state. Has ever. Approached and it is going to require the work of all of us to find the space to

find the faculty to find the means of providing that education. But as North Carolina has found out so many times before where theres a will there is always a way. And we dont yet as you suggest have a college going rate. That meets the national average and your progress or report calls for us to accelerate college going rates within the state of North Carolina. And that means a significant part of the responsibility is on the university on the community colleges as well but also on the university. There really is in the state an interlocking of the. Schools of community colleges and all that you oversee and its competitive in the Hilton in them in a negative way each energized the other. It is the healthiest linkage of schools community colleges and universities I have ever seen anywhere. There is a

great attitude and a great spirit of cooperation and I think we're already demonstrating that we can each be better by working together. Now we've talked a lot about what technology is going to do what about the arts and humanities I notice that you. Have in the Chapel Hill a new institute an arts and humanities the school of the arts is expanding in the film. NC State got a very volatile theater of this happening all over. Students get to take part. I sure hope so. I sure hope so because it is a critical part not only of the education of students but for the life of the entire faculty and the entire academic community. It is the arts and the humanities that give us the Great Spirit that help us to understand the human condition. And to make us all better as human beings. Do you and husband Bob ever have time on Sunday morning scrambled eggs in the kitchen and does visit I know we used to have to fight so hard for private time. It

worked it out yet. Not yet but we are continuing to work on it and I am sure that we will. This first year has been such an exciting year and such a busy year and we both have so enjoyed our education about North Carolina going to say that an interesting state. You move the mountains to the coast and all that 400 years of history and involvement in it. The note exactly like the other day is phenomenal. It is just phenomenal. Well let's talk now about your plans then for the next five six years. How does the universe to go about today systematically gauging at long range planning. What does that require of you. Well it requires us to have. A clear focus about what things we must accomplish. Higher education as you know faces many opportunities and many challenges. Change in the world is altering the way we do business. But we must keep

a clear focus. We want to continue and strengthen our partnership with the schools that will be a very important priority for us in the years ahead. We are redoubling our efforts to reach out all across North Carolina where we don't have campuses to serve the citizens of that part of the state who can't leave their jobs or their families and come to one of our campuses. So a significant effort will be in our outreach and we are so grateful that the General Assembly this year. For the first time. Provided the university funding so that we could serve those students matriculated in degree programs in exactly the same way they support students on our campuses. How often has this brought you in exchanges with the corporate leadership about what they need and what I don't mean that you shape the university for that but there's a general parameter we all seek. Do they communicate change that way to you.

Oh they absolutely do. And they communicate the change. In the areas of focus and so you hear not just from the technology intensive companies but from the banking industry that they need more employees with information technology skills so that they can perform their duties. But we also hear from the leaders of corporations about the importance of the liberal arts and having a deep understanding of analytical reasoning and writing and communication. So we hear from the corporate leadership and I must say I'm very impressed with the commitment of the corporate leadership in this state to their civic responsibility as. A strong citizens of North Carolina to make this a better place tomorrow than it was yesterday. You know all of this that you talk about Mali. Requires an atmosphere in which the university lives. It means freedom. Academic freedom not selfishly but you know in a way people can talk about ideas and

change it. There's been big arguments out there in that west coast region about political ization and happened to the California system you know that and I do. The great thing about the people of this state is that once we went through that years ago. I've left the university alone to be responsibly free. And I know you feel that way very deeply that we can't work any other way and with all the bigness that surround us it's still not essential isn't it. It is absolutely essential. And what makes for a strong university is that freedom of the faculty members. To think. New thoughts and to behave in new ways and to be unfettered in. The boundaries that they try to pursue and go beyond what is something that you as you have to be eternally vigilant about. Don't you have to be eternally vigilant. How often do you get to listen to this generation of students do they stop you on a

campus or you go visit with them and they tell you how to run the place. They do. I see them all the time whether it is the student leaders who come by on a regular basis and we meet and talk about the issues and the priorities from their point of view or I encounter them going across the campus and as you know they recognize you and are very easy to strike up a conversation with you or I see them at church where sometimes I find them so very inspiring as young adults. It's what made you and me choose. Universities as our life work because it gives us this chance to work with young people when they are still. In the process of becoming. It wonderful to have the experience of meeting a group like the park scholars of the Morehead scholars of the. Ones that are on the campuses of the sea that bright talented person that you knows going to rise to be a great star sub they. Have this have

this dream of turning them loose in a way letting them talk letting them fly. It gives you a great sense of confidence in the leadership and the next generation doesn't it certainly does what hard is it today to get bright young faculty people I know there's the competition must be fierce. Here it is fierce competition. But the University of North Carolina enjoys such a strong national reputation as a place. Where you can build a career and where you can remain for your entire career. You know some of what's going on these days in higher education is that faculty members move from campus to campus to campus. And I don't believe universities well. Become strong if there isn't an ongoing core of faculty who've made their life's commitment to remaining and building that university. We enjoy that kind of strength that the

University of North Carolina and I believe it puts us in a strong position to compete nationally. We're a very attractive university to young doctoral students who are just computer completing their program but we're also. An attractive university for those in the middle parts of their life where they're thinking about where they want to invest the rest of their career. That's interesting to hear because you the competition today it is intense and I've read it but you I've been following you in the papers you certainly are getting into the national debate. I judged this means that the universe is accepted as a knowledgeable serious partner and all that being planned at the national level the. Well don't you think we have a responsibility. I know you. The answer for you is yes because you have played so many important roles on the national level. But this is an important part of what a university can contribute to its day and to its country.

Well you know the southern region is really in a way the future of our country and we you are stepping up now to get the other six 15 states and their institutions to and reenergize themselves. This is a major subject. And Southern discussions these days out here and I'm sure you do too. Yeah it's that impressive performance of the South. Economically and in terms of the political leadership at the national level is really quite a turn around in our lifetimes. What's ahead for you in traveling then for the next six months I hope you can ease up a little bit of a little more time for your own pleasures. It's so pressing on you know. Well. This state. Presents wonderful opportunities for me to learn about new aspects of the university and so I expect that I will continue. To travel to the campuses of this state and to meet members of the community the civic life as well as the economic life. And.

I will also do my share at the national level for helping in areas where I think the University of North Carolina. Has something important to contribute. Well no Secretary Riley seeks your counsel. And all is being done there as well as in the whole the national association so that is important because it's protecting our own interests in the selfish way if I might put it of course. But there's a leadership role here that this place has enjoyed for a hundred years and well I can tell you've enjoyed this year. I have. Having it and I know that you're looking forward to the next one. Well. We've used up this time President but thank you for coming over to visit with me when North Carolina people in the great New Year to you with all that goes with it. Thank you very much. I am.

North Carolina people is brought to you by walkover banking investments and financial services for individuals businesses and corporations. Walk over we're here let's get started.