Gosh. Spellings can quote Bill Friday! And Spellings makes cooing sounds: “People know in their gut, and particularly in this state – irrespective of where you are on the political spectrum – everyone understands the value of this institution to the success of this state,” she told the reporter.
She prides herself on being a snake-charmer. The reporter asked, How do you handle those in the state who already don't like you? “Meet with them. Listen. Get to know them. Understand their frustration and the righteousness of a lot of what they’re saying.”
"Righteousness" here must be the code word for "sincerely held but wrong beliefs." That's the kind of language you use to charm a snake.
At a salary of three-quarters of a million dollars per annum -- not counting other perks, like free lodging -- she'll at least look good. Irrespective of everything else.
Spellings' experience in higher ed is in student debt collections and for-profit higher ed sector. She implemented No Child Left Behind for GW Bush.
ReplyDeleteThere is NO WAY her appointment can be viewed as anything other than a statement of utter disdain for what the UNC-system actually stands for - providing quality public higher education for those who cannot afford to spend $60K a year on tuition and room and board. The UNC BOG are working very hard to destroy the system they are supposed to support.