Spring Briefs from Chapel Hill

Posted on April 15, 1986

Oldest state university buildings to remain dorms

The passage of a trustee resolution urging the continuation of Old East and Old West as residence halls is being met with widespread approval by Carolina alumni.

This spring I usually find that alumni want to talk about our basketball season, admissions, and the new UNC system President C. D . Spangler. Prior to the adoption of the trustee resolution, alumni were expressing concern about plans under consideration to convert Old East and Old West into offices.

Despite the Trustee resolution, non-state funds must still be found to give these cherished dormitories needed renovations. Trustee Richard Jenrette has been appointed by Trustees Chairman Clint Newton to head a subcommittee on historic buildings to look into private revenue sources. There is some talk about converting these dorms into residences for outstanding student leaders, making Old East and Old West “the place to live on campus/’ and encouraging easier daily interaction with University administrators whose offices are across the street in South Building.

The federal budget and student aid

Chancellor Christopher Fordham reported to the Board of Trustees at their February meeting that unless the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings law is overturned by the Supreme Court, federal money going to student financial aid and loan programs will be reduced by 4.3 percent. This will result in cutbacks in several areas for Chapel Hill.

Pell Grants, which go to the neediest students, would be reduced next fiscal year by $546,000, which would mean that 1,238 students would lose or have reduced eligibility for Pell Grants.

The College Work-Study Program that this year has provided jobs for almost 1,000 UNC-CH students would be reduced by about $104,000.
Fordham also noted that next fiscal year students getting loans through the National Student Direct Loan Program and the Guaranteed Student Loan Program, both based on need, will for the first time include interest charges to begin while students are still in school. About 2,800 students received such loans this year.

However, Fordham stressed that students should not be discouraged. “It is absolutely essential that the negative publicity surrounding these unhappy budget considerations not discourage students from attempting to gain access to higher education, ” he said.

This issue

This spring issue of your alumni magazine contains interesting profiles of three diverse and exemplary alumni.

Alan Bergman ’48, now living in Beverly Hills, came to Chapel Hill from New York City. With his wife and songwriting partner, Marilyn Bergman, he has brought international acclaim and recognition to himself, to those for whom he has written, including Barbra Streisand and Frank Sinatra, and his alma mater.

David Grigg ’61 has been a Morehead Scholar, Student Body President, President of the GAA, and is permanent class president of the class of 1961 which will soon be holding its 25th reunion. He returned home — to Albemarle — to practice law, to serve his community, and to promote education at all levels.

John Swofford ’71, raised in North Wilkesboro, was also a Morehead Scholar. After receiving an advanced degree in athletic administration at Ohio University and working at UVA he returned to Chapel Hill where in 1980 he became Athletic Director. His leadership has cemented Carolina’s entire athletic program into one of the most admired such programs in the country.

Grigg in his hometown, Swofford here at the University, and Bergman through his music heard everywhere are examples of the many alumni whose lives were forever shaped by their Chapel Hill and University experiences.

Yours at Carolina,

 

 

 

Douglas S. Dibbert ’70