University wide policy on hate crimes considered
Joni Worthington
December 16, 2008
CHAPEL HILL – UNC President Erskine Bowles recently announced the appointment of the UNC Study Commission to Review Student Codes of Conduct as they Relate to Hate Crimes. Led by Dr. Harold Martin, UNC Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and former chancellor of Winston-Salem University, the group will advise President Bowles on whether or not a University-wide policy addressing hate crimes and acts of violence and intimidation should be recommended to the UNC Board of Governors for adoption. The 11-member Commission, which includes students, staff, and faculty from 10 UNC institutions, also will consider the development of a University-wide requirement for diversity orientation for all first-time students. The group will forward its final recommendations to President Bowles no later than March 31, 2009. Established in response to community outrage over derogatory, racist statements spray-painted in the Free Expression Tunnel at NC State University following the November 4 elections, the Commission will hold its organizational meeting in Chapel Hill on December 17. Representatives of diverse advocacy and constituent groups will be invited to share concerns and perspectives with the Commission during a forum to be scheduled in late January or early February. Public input may be forwarded to the Commission at study_commission@northcarolina.edu. Joni B. Worthington Vice President for Communications The University of North Carolina General Administration 910 Raleigh Road P.O. Box 2688 Chapel Hill, NC 27515-2688 Phone: (919) 962-4629 FAX: (919) 962-5463