Welcome back, internships and budget

Back from spring break

Welcome back from spring break to a very wet Chapel Hill. I hope you had a wonderful respite and are ready for the rest of the term. The pear trees look great, and the redbuds are coming into their own. On Saturday, there was a quote in the local paper that if the mens’ Tar Heels lost Saturday, no one would be on the streets Sunday. As I drove down Franklin to my office Sunday, it sure looked that way. I was really feeling badly about the outcome until I spoke with Shelley Earp, MD, Lineberger Professor and Director, and he cited from memory the years in which we lost the mens’ ACC game on Saturday and went on to win the NCAA championship. Aren’t data wonderful! We all wish a speedy recovery to Ty Lawson. Hope is a powerful emotion!

Students’ internships

I am really pleased to hear about some of the wonderful summer internships our students are getting. Your preparation is paying off. I have been impressed by the fabulous applicants we have had. And from those who are coming to me with questions, it seems like more and more applicants are interested in global health and seeing us as a strong contender across the School. That is the way it should be. Of course, we must continue to build our global faculty – already strengthened over the last few years.

Budget issues

I suspect that over the next few weeks, as we get closer to knowing the amount of the State’s budget shortfall, we will have to begin dealing with the reality of next year’s budget constraints-on top of the non-recurring 7% cuts we have made in our state budgets over the last few months. I promise to do everything I possibly can to preserve our jobs in the School of Public Health and to seek every possible non-personnel avenue for cutting budgets. As I have said before, I am really gratified by the way people are working together to cope with the budget situation in a positive manner. Our chairs and other School leaders are working together to deal with the difficult issues. Chancellor Thorp’s memos on the budget situation are frank and helpful. Charlotte Nuñez-Wolff, EdD, our associate dean for business and finance, David Potenziani, PhD, our senior associate dean and I will update our faculty, staff and students as we get more information.

It will get better! Happy Monday. Barbara