A UNC Board of Governors committee postponed discussion on a controversial recommendation to close three university-based policy centers. The closures included East Carolina’s Center for Biodiversity, North Carolina Central’s Institute for Civic Engagement and Social Change and the most strongly opposed closure, UNC-Chapel Hill’s Center for Poverty, Work and Opportunity.
The proposed closures attracted cries of outrage from state Congressional and local legislators. In a statement, Rep. Garland Pierce, chair of the North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus said, "North Carolina has the highest rate of increase of poverty in the nation. The need to address poverty and civic engagement remains at an all-time high, and these recommendations appear to be taking us in the wrong direction."
During today's meeting, the Board of Governor's committee approved a working group’s recommendation to close the centers. Committee members said the discussion was delayed because they felt debate on such an important issue should take place before the full 32-member Board of Governors.
That debate and a possible vote on the proposed closures is scheduled for Friday morning.
