UNC will only lose respect if it doesn’t end this ill-advised plot | Opinion

The proposal for UNC to join the University of Florida and a few other institutions in creating a new accrediting agency for public universities would make UNC a collaborator in a project that is apparently motivated by political opportunism and ideological activism. It would also associate UNC with the driving force behind the project, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a person seeking to advance the dubious claim of Florida as the “Education State,” but perhaps better known for such cruelties as “Alligator Alcatraz.”

Apart from the notion that universities might anoint the entities that set standards and enforce them, the proposed agency would be at odds with the values of which UNC was once respected. Prominent among those values, epitomized by the legacy of William Friday, are freedom from political interference and ideological or anti-intellectual conformity and the principle that the university belongs to and serves all the people of the state and not a particular political faction.

UNC leadership would do well to abandon the ill-advised accreditation plan and devote its energies to helping correct any deficiencies in the current accreditation system and to restoring the high regard in which UNC was held.

Norman Loewenthal, former director of The William and Ida Friday Center for Continuing Education at UNC, Chapel Hill

Pesticides bill

On Tuesday, the state legislature will resume debates about adding a liability shield back into the Farm Act. The liability shield states that if a pesticide label is approved by the EPA, the consumer knows all risks and cannot sue for “failure to warn.” According to GlobalResearch, 85 pesticides approved by the EPA are banned in other countries because they are unsafe.

If a corporation cannot sell their pesticide in another country, and they do not disclose that on their US label, how can they claim they warned the consumer of all safety issues? Call your legislators. Ask to keep the pesticide liability shield out of the Farm Act.

Beth Secosky, Raleigh

Rescission bill

I lost my father to polio when I was three. My family had to ask: Could all of us stay in school, could we go to college, how would we survive? Communicable diseases take lives, destroy families and communities. We elect Congress members to ensure citizens, families and communities’ health and wealth. What better could we ask of congressional members?

My representative in Congress, Deborah Ross, voted against the rescission bill. The bill will take money meant to fight communicable diseases. Sens. Ted Budd and Thom Tillis did not vote to protect health. I demand better representation from my members of Congress. I am paying attention. I have the power of my vote.

Elizabeth Clerkin, Raleigh

Education funds

In response to “NC now subsidizes the tuition cost for the majority of private school students.”

As a Rohingya refugee who benefited from public education, I’ve seen how lack of education pushes many low-income Black, brown and refugee communities into poverty. I was shocked that funding will be taken from public schools and given to vouchers for private schools, which are often attended by affluent students.

This will make it harder for working-class students to access quality education. We need to come together and support efforts that expand educational access and improve well-being for marginalized communities.

Muhammad Arafat, Knightdale

Epstein

Most Americans expect those in leadership to act in the best interest of their communities and constituents. Regardless of politics, most wish to know when corruption occurs so it can be extinguished. It is this conviction that should unite us. The case surrounding the President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein is no exception.

A bipartisan chorus have demanded all files concerning the convicted sex offender be unsealed. The administration initially suggested the same before backtracking and stating no files were relevant for public reveal. Speaker Mike Johnson blocked a vote demanding the administration unseal these files! Do those in the GOP not understand the damage to the party and country this inflicts?

Colby Carr, Hickory

Durham Joes?

Has Durham ever considered finding a lot and possibly building a Trader Joe’s? The food there is fresh and organic and business for Trader Joe’s is going great in Chapel Hill. When it comes to food its not only organic, but you have various choices when it comes to fruits and vegetables.

I was skeptical about the idea but realized this would be great for Durham. Certain cities have them but not Durham. It has farmers markets but for those who want an indoor experience of various organic foods Trader Joe’s would be your best bet. Hopefully Durham will consider this idea.

Benjamin Gear, Chapel Hill

This story was originally published July 27, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "UNC will only lose respect if it doesn’t end this ill-advised plot | Opinion."