After five years as the University of North Carolina system president, Erskin Bowles is stepping down and the reins are going to Davidson President Thomas Ross.  Until the recent tuition increase, students rarely considered who is in power over the UNC system.  Shortly after signing the budget this year, the N.C. General Assembly gave the UNC president the power to pass tuition increases.  With this in mind, students need to be aware of what is going on in the UNC system.

N.C. State is a part of the UNC system, along with 17 other schools.  Now, we are all in the same position.  We are waiting to see what Ross will do in January when he takes the presidential seat.

Thomas Ross is the current president of Davidson College, which is a private university outside the UNC system.  This raises concerns as far as whether or not he is aware of issues that affect public institutions and their roles in the state.

One of the most pressing issues is the recent tuition increases.  Students should be wary about how Ross may deal with possible future tuition increases and Ross should be aware of the effect this current increase has had on students.

Maintaining transparency and an open line of communication with the 17 schools he is serving will be crucial as Ross adapts to a different administrative climate.  This will also calm some of the concerns students have.  Since he is from outside of the system, he needs to learn and listen to gain the trust of students.

North Carolina relies heavily on the education the UNC system delivers, whether it is in engineering, education or the arts.  The students, as well as the residents, across the state will need Ross to foster excellence for the UNC system and uphold its reputation of elite schools.  

Thomas Ross experience in N.C. is extensive, but now we are trusting him with our futures.  We need to both serve as watchdogs to our system and learn from Ross as he shares his experience with us.