A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to establish the william Friday institute for leadership development.
Whereas, there is a serious and continuing need for systematic education and training within The University of North Carolina to prepare men and women to perform effectively in progressively responsible positions of administrative leadership in colleges and universities in North Carolina and the nation; and
Whereas, the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina (UNC) and the staff in the Office of the President are in agreement that The University of North Carolina must provide a mechanism by which talented faculty and staff within the UNC system can move into administrative positions; and
Whereas, a significant component of increasing the strength of The University of North Carolina is increasing the administrative acumen of its faculty, department chairs, deans, and other administrators to prepare them for leadership positions; and
Whereas, historically, academic administrators moved into their positions directly from the faculty, but the complexities of leadership make such changes nearly impossible today; and
Whereas, business and industry focus on succession planning, climate surveys, and leadership development, but universities have been slower to respond to the need to develop talent within the organization; and
Whereas, some universities have developed leadership programs, and the best of these programs nationally are those that are responsive to the culture of the institution or system; and
Whereas, establishing an institute for higher education leadership development will help change the current pattern within the UNC system by providing ongoing professional development for faculty and administrators on UNC campuses; and
Whereas, faculty and administrators will have opportunities to learn "best practices" from their colleagues as well as from national experts in key areas, and models will be provided that can be transferred back to the campuses; and
Whereas, administrative internships on campuses and at the Office of the President will provide aspiring administrators opportunities to experience new environments and to learn leadership skills through observation and participation; and
Whereas, it is critical that The University of North Carolina provide opportunities for faculty within the system to advance professionally without having to leave North Carolina; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina shall establish the William Friday Institute for Higher Education Leadership (the "Institute"). The Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina shall also establish an advisory board for the Institute.
SECTION 2.  The purpose of the Institute is to enable students, faculty, and administrators on the campuses of The University of North Carolina to explore and validate their interest in and fitness for careers in academic administration and to gain skills, insight, information, contacts, and experience through ongoing professional leadership development programs.
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.