Source: The Daily Tar Heel (Sept. 17, 2012)
POSTED BY: Chesley Kalnen on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012)
- Daily Tar Heel editorial on UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Holden Thorp's resignation, commenting on the range of reactions in the university community.
Source: The Daily Tar Heel (Sept. 17, 2012) POSTED BY: Chesley Kalnen on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012)
18 Comments
Marissa Rupp
10/12/2012 06:05:00 am
Holden Thorp may not be the reason for the recent scandals that have plagued our university, but his association with these scandals is simply impossible to escape. It is certainly a shame that he has resigned, but there is definitely a need for a new era of administration at UNC. The support shown for Chancellor Thorp demonstrates the quality of students at this university and how quickly Carolina's students will come together for causes they believe in. However, in this circumstance, change can only lead to a better future at UNC.
Katherine Hill
10/12/2012 06:05:31 am
Although Chancellor Thorp did a lot of good for the university, his resignation is critical to the moving forward of the university. It is unfortunate that he is leaving on a negative note, but because his reputation and tenure are now tarnished by scandal, new leadership is necessary. Many people have been frustrated with Thorpe since the football scandal, and the recent Kupec scandal was the final straw. Even the best crisis communication cannot erase the linkage of Thorpe to the scandals. Therefore, change is the only way to effectively move into the future. Hopefully, the university will choose a strong leader committed to integrity to lead UNC into a new era.
Bridget Walsh
10/12/2012 06:06:28 am
While Holden Thorp has done great things for the university and its student body, I respect his decision to step down. The recent scandals that have plagued the university have tainted his term as chancellor. I do not think that he is giving up on the university; he is taking his talents elsewhere. I am in a class with him right now and he expressed to the class how excited he was to get back to teaching. Although he has had a positive impact on the university chancellor, he can continue to leave a mark on the university by returning to a profession he truly loves. The university needs a chancellor who is wholeheartedly devoted to the position. I'd rather see Thorp thrive as a scientist, an entrepreneur, and an educator, then him remain chancellor because he felt morally obligated.
Charlie Shelton
10/12/2012 06:07:00 am
Holden Thorp may not have been responsible for all, or possible any, of the scandals associated with UNC in the past few years, nevertheless his resignation was necessary. Thorp did not resign due to his lack of character in his job, but because his position as Chancellor holds so much responsibility that at a certain point a change to the university's administration was inevitable. Thorp's resignation shows that he cares deeply about this university, and recognizes that a new administration will benefit this campus more than the current one. It takes great courage to know when it is appropriate to step down, and for that I believe Holden Thorp should be commended.
Mary Elizabeth Entwistle
10/12/2012 06:07:56 am
To those saying that the chancellor's resignation is long overdue, they are ignoring how much good Holden Thorp has done in investigating all the recent scandals. Under his leadership, many faults with the university have been revealed, yes, but this is still better than continuing to cover up these issues and leave them to surface during another chancellor's term. Thorp has demonstrated passion for the entire Carolina community during his tenure, and hopefully he will enjoy a well-deserved break from the media and pressure as he returns to the faculty.
Kexin Yin
10/12/2012 06:08:35 am
I think that a lot of what people feel toward Chancellor Thorp (whether positive or negative) comes with which side they had heard of first or whether they have met the man. There is just so much behind the scene information that are not presented to the public.
Michelle Brant
10/12/2012 06:09:07 am
This quote demonstrates that a lot of people are looking at Thorp through a biased lens. Although he has undoubtedly contributed greatly to the university, the scandal he has essentially been at the head of supports the second part of the quotation, that his resignation is long overdue. While there is some leeway in terms of the football scandal, however the situation with vice chancellor Matt Kupec is inescapable. Chancellor Thorp may not be directly at the head of the football department, but he is of the chancellors office and therefore the superior the Kupec who should have been overlooking his financial statements. Whether it was Thorps' direct job or not, someone on his staff should have caught the discrepancies in the statements which caused the scandal in the first place. It is hard to face these facts of the leader of a our university who has done so much for this school, and I think this quote embodies the ambivalence the student body is feeling over the situation.
Alex Serra
10/12/2012 06:10:51 am
I am somewhat indifferent in my opinion of Thorp's , although I am not peculiarly fond of the changes he has implemented in the Greek community in the past few years. However I feel the resignation of a prominent public figure is inevitable in the face of a scandal. I do not hold Thorp personally responsible for the NCAA violations in the football department last year, nor the scandal in the African American studies department. Dutch Davis was rightfully held accountable and fired, and I would do the same for the dean of the African American studies department. That being said, public opinion is an interesting dynamic. Even though the individuals charged with oversight of the football program and African American studies department have been addressed, Holden Thorp is still the figure head of the University. Some say he prematurely made himself the scapegoat for the betterment of the University, but I believe his resignation is inevitable. However his sudden resignation makes one wonder if there is something else going on that has not come to light yet.
Rachel Daniel
10/12/2012 06:11:33 am
This quote shows how Chancellor Thorp became the scapegoat for every scandal that emerged in his time here. Although not implicated in any wrongdoing directly, many view Thorp as the source of UNC's problems. As a student, it seems to me that Chancellor Thorp has gone above and beyond what was required of him to deal with the issues facing UNC. He launched an investigation of the AFAM Studies Department and hired a consulting firm to get the bottom of the academic foul play. I think that the majority of people affiliated with this university would agree that Chancellor Thorp's resignation is regrettable.
Zack Newbauer
10/12/2012 06:12:30 am
Given all that has happened in recent years, the resignation was honestly inevitable. There was no way for Thorp to be able to power through the athletic scandals that are seemingly immortal as well as the Tami Hansbrough happenings. These in conjunction with the day-to-day trials and tribulations were not just too much for Holden Thorp but too much for any person trying to accomplish what he was doing. As such a public figure, you're general appearance is quite important and therefore with such negative press surrounding you, it becomes more about how much power your voice has left, not your willingness to "survive." So no matter how much support Thorp could conjure among the faculty and students, his name cannot be disassociated with all that has occurred while has held this position. Though Holden Thorp's person is seemingly perfect for the position, once it's soiled, it's soiled.
Brie Mittan
10/12/2012 06:12:56 am
It is regrettable that Chancellor Thorp is resigning; however, it is absolutely necessary. As a leader in the face of crisis, Thorp always responded in a timely manner with the decision that was best for the university. Unfortunately that is not enough. As the leader of this great university he needed to be more proactive in investigating and purging all of the academic departments under scrutiny. While it seems none of the scandals had their roots as high up as the chancellor's office, each one left a permanent stain on the reputation of Thorp and the University. The University must show its willingness to reinvent and improve itself for the sake of a respectable, higher education. All that is left to do is to thank Thorp for the good times, and to continue to look forward.
Haley Ross
10/12/2012 06:14:29 am
Chancellor Thorp is surrounded at this time with negative press, scandal, and corruption within our university. While he cannot be blamed for all the wrong that has happened it, he can be somewhat blamed by not investigating himself and getting involved. I believe his resignation is the best decision for the university as a whole, and with new, strong leadership, we will be able to move forward on a positive note and start making changes within our university to help build our reputation back up where it should be. I wish all of luck to Chancellor Thorp and hope that he finally will get peace and quiet away from his stressful life at UNC.
Lucy Cross
10/12/2012 06:15:04 am
This quote shows the wide variety of opinions present on the UNC campus about Chancellor Thorp's resignation, and it reflects the underlying curiosities of how his resignation will affect current students. Some people believe that he carries a great deal of responsibility for the recent scandals that have come to light, while others think that he is getting blame for situations that he had no knowledge of and could not control. Regardless of whether his resignation is a positive or negative event, new leadership means changes, and students are wondering how big those changes will be and how much those changes will directly affect them. As a new chancellor takes over, students should keep an open mind and welcome the new chancellor to UNC, whoever that may be, and hope that with a new chancellor comes the end of scandals and discrepancies.
James Branley
10/12/2012 06:15:30 am
Personally, I think that it's a mix of both. A lot of what happened during his time in office had to do with others' poor choices. At the same time, he wasn't able to necessarily get through those challenges that well. I think that if the man wants to retire, then let him. I know a lot of people on the campus are uncomfortable with Art Pope and think that he may try to "change" the university, but we don't know what he will do yet. I also think that if the students want to make sure their university stays the way it is, it's on them to do so. It's a university of the people.
Chris Helton
10/12/2012 06:16:16 am
This quote succeeds in juxtaposing the mixed feelings on Chancellor Thorp's decision to resign at the end of this school year. As a student, I can understand both sides of the argument. Chancellor Thorp has been viewed by many as a champion of this university and as a vocal leader. To many, for him to resign during a series of crises will surely only make the situations more convoluted. For others, the negative clouds over UNC are a sign that it is time for new blood; someone who has no bias and can take on these situations with clear judgment. One must also look at it from Chancellor Thorp's perspective. In interviews he has reiterated that he and his family are tired and that his first love is teaching. I can only imagine the stress and scrutiny that comes with the position of Chancellor. I am positive that being under that kind of lens surely causes great fatigue. I respect and support Chancellor Thorp's decision to resign, and perhaps it is best for the university. Over the years one thing I have realized is that change is always a good thing, because with change (conscious, responsible change) comes growth.
Erica Sabol
10/12/2012 06:17:26 am
I've engaged with a lot of people who have very differing opinions about Thorp's resignation. I know a lot of my professors were upset about his decision, because of his dedication to academics and allowing us to be able to 'actually learn things.' However, when most people comment on his resignation, it is in regards to the all the scandals that have been arising lately at UNC - NCAA violations and the AFAM department. I feel like it's kind of a mixed bag, and it's really unfortunate that someone who allows the broadening of academic subjects is forced to accept a certain type of responsibility for all of these ongoing scandals. I feel the resignation itself was inevitable, because Thorp is the figurehead of the University and because I don't think his name will ever truly escape the cloud that's recently been brought upon it. I don't know if a new chancellor will necessarily aid UNC in its recent downfalls, but I can definitely see where Thorp was coming from in resigning.
Kate Heckman
10/12/2012 06:18:13 am
Though I do not think that that Chancellor Thorp can, or should, be held responsible for the multiple scandals that plagued his tenure, I most definitely support and believe in the necessity of his resignation. As history has shown us time and time again, people have a great tendency to blame the person in charge for problems experienced during his/her time in control. Little consideration is directed to when the issues arose or the role the leader had in facilitating the problems. People want positive growth and improvement, and a leader they can trust and believe in. And that is just what Holden Thorp was for our University. Can one individual really be held liable for corruption that occurred among many different fronts and by different people? Yes, he holds the leadership role and therefore dealing with them falls under his responsibility, but to attribute the negative stretch to him personally and his entire term? That is purely unfair. Chancellor Thorp's resignation was nothing short of respectable and selfless. He put the University first and acted upon the best interest of the University as a whole, even if it meant stepping down. He should be commended for his resignation and his leadership as a whole. Hopefully this resignation will release some of the extreme strain put on his family and allow him to focus his attention on what matters most.
Caroline Jones
11/21/2012 02:26:18 pm
I think this is an issue that everyone has an opinion about, and for several weeks we all have had the opportunity to discuss our opinions with each other. Personally, I held a very neutral stance on the issue as I was not extremely familiar with Chancellor Thorp or his policies but I was touched by the outpouring of support from every dynamic student, teacher, and alumni. I had never seen that before. With that amount of support I found it extremely sad that Chancellor Thorp decided to continue with his decision to step down but I believe he has the best intentions for this University at heart as to so many wonderful people, and I believe he will continue to be an asset in the future. Leave a Reply. |