Western Carolina University classes start on Monday August 20th. The school is expecting a record number of new students in both the freshman class and overall. This is due, in part, to the launch of the NC Promise program which lowers tuition to just $500 for in-state students. Today, Interim Chancellor Alison Morrison-Shetlar welcomed back staff and faculty at the opening assembly by reflecting on the past year, remembering former Chancellor David Belcher who passed away this summer and looking forward.
“We’ve come to the time when we typically review our accomplishments over the last year. But before we get to that, I should address the reality that you were not expecting me to be standing up here this morning,” says Morrison-Shetlar, who was previously provost at the university. “You were expecting me to be back in my provost’s seat and for a new chancellor addressing you this morning.”
The search for Western Carolina’s new chancellor is on hold as the UNC board of governor’s reviews the selection process.New guidelines are expected to come out in September at which point the search will restart.
To kick over the year, Acting Provost Carol Burton went over the school’s new 2020 Vision Plan that was updated in June. The plan outlines 7 strategic directions that the university hopes to expand as well as updated growth targets. This includes a new commitment to “Inclusive Excellence,” as the school hopes to encourage more diversity and inclusivity on campus.
Faculty hope that this year’s campus theme of “Defining America" will also inspire discussions on diversity and other current issues.