Campaign for Faculty Support
The faculty at Carolina are at the heart of the University’s great national reputation. They attract the finest undergraduate and graduate students in the country, publish respected books and articles, and attract millions in research grants each year. Their activities in teaching, research, and service form the essence of what we call the Carolina Way—a commitment to excellence coupled with a true sense of community.
The Challenge
Yet consider this troubling fact: in 2006, 23 top Carolina faculty members whom we fought to retain were ultimately recruited away.
Why? Our research tells us that faculty who left Carolina most frequently cited salary and the lack of support for research as their reasons for doing so. Compared to peer universities, Carolina’s average faculty salary falls below the 50th percentile.
Exacerbating this problem is the increasingly competitive market for assistant and associate professors, created by the accelerating retirement of an entire generation of senior faculty.
A Special Drive for Faculty Support
Given this area’s critical importance, we are striving to raise an additional $100 million for faculty beyond the $400 million raised in the recent Carolina First campaign. This $100 million initiative will have a special emphasis upon support for early- and mid-career faculty and upon Eminent Professorships.
Gift Opportunities
Professorships
State of North Carolina Distinguished Professorships Matching Program
These state-matched chairs may be awarded to outstanding faculty members at the full, associate or assistant professor level. All state-matched endowed chairs are established as Distinguished Professorships but with flexibility in the rank of the award recipient.
The State of North Carolina provides the following levels of matching grants:
- Grants of $667,000 to match private gifts of $2,333,000 and up, establishing $3 million Eminent Professorship endowments.
- Grants of $667,000 to match private gifts of $1,333,000 and up, establishing $2 million endowments.
- Grants of $500,000 to match private gifts of $1,000,000 and up, establishing $1.5 million endowments.
- Grants of $334,000 to match private gifts of $666,000 and up, establishing $1 million endowments.
- Grants of $167,000 to match private gifts of $333,000 and up, establishing $500,000 endowments.
You may also contact Elizabeth Dunn in the Office of University Development (919.962.3292 or edunn@unc.edu) or a development officer in one of Carolina’s academic schools or units.
