S257 - 2026 Appropriations Act. (SL 2026-41)

The School is directed to do the following:

• Provide course opportunities for students that focus on the development of democratic competencies informed by American history, the American political tradition, and the study of texts and traditions of Western civilization that form the foundation of the American republic.
• Develop programming to address these topics and provide resources to students, faculty, and the general public.

The Chancellor of UNC-CH must appoint the Dean of the School with the consent of the Board of Trustees of UNC-CH.  Neither the Chancellor nor the Board of Trustees can delegate this responsibility to another party.  All faculty hired by or appointed to the School are subject to the approval of the Dean of the School.  Faculty members are allowed to hold joint or courtesy appointments with other reporting units of UNC-CH with all joint and courtesy appointments made at the discretion of the Dean of the School.

For the 2026-2027 academic year, the School must employ at least 20 faculty members hired from outside UNC-CH. These faculty members must be hired with permanent tenure or be eligible to receive permanent tenure in accordance with policies adopted by the BOG and UNC-CH.  The School is prohibited from employing any additional faculty by joint or courtesy appointment with other reporting units of UNC-CH unless the School has employed at least 20 faculty members hired from outside UNC-CH.

The recurring funds allocated to the School beginning in the 2026-2027 fiscal year can only be used to support the School and cannot be redirected for any other purpose. In addition, these funds must be used to supplement and not supplant any funds the School would otherwise receive, including funds received by the School based on enrollment.

By November 15, 2027, the Board of Trustees of UNC-CH must report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee and the Fiscal Research Division on the progress made toward establishing the School including the following information:

• Courses and other programming provided by the School, including the extent to which those courses or programs fulfill curriculum requirements at UNC-CH.
• Faculty hired by the School, including the number of faculty members hired from outside UNC-CH.
• Uses of funds specifically appropriated to the School.
• Progress made toward establishing an honors program at the School.
• Additional degree programs established at the School, including baccalaureate, doctoral, and minor concentration programs, in areas including government, history, literature, and economics.
• Progress made toward establishing a Board of Visitors at the School.
• Any other matter the Board of Trustees deems relevant to the progress of establishing the School.

This section became effective July 1, 2026.