Qatar
Student Seminar Gives Students a Voice
By Tim Nelson
Several recent editorials in local newspapers agree, the "world
is and will be watching" UNC Chapel Hill as the University decides
whether to accept the controversial Qatar Business School proposal.
Kenan-Flagler Business School Dean Bob Sullivan hopes UNC will
accept.
"We can either be observers in the world or we can participate
in the world," Sullivan said. "This is one of those very unique
opportunities where we're being invited to participate."
It is an invitation Chancellor James Moeser says he will
accept or decline by the end of the year, and with the calendar
running out, some students are hoping their last-minute input
will go into his final decision.
Nina Poe is a sophomore at Carolina who is part of the recently
formed Qatar Seminar.
"Students up to this point really haven't had a huge say
in what's going on or been very informed," Poe said. "I wanted
to educate myself as part of the seminar and also be able
to offer some input to the chancellor."
Poe and about 25 other students in the Qatar Seminar will
have the chance to formally present Moeser with their thoughts
on the proposal next week. Students were not taken along when
a UNC delegation of faculty, administrators and trustees headed
to Qatar on a fact-finding mission in November. Now, they
can share their views.
"Students are surfacing questions that need to be asked
and we need to listen to them," said Sullivan.
Those questions include whether a business school in Qatar
contradicts the University's mission or is in line with UNC's
liberal arts education. Some wonder whether a school there
would serve more than just the country's wealthy.
The Qatar Seminar's schedule is hectic: four two-hour meetings,
a ten-page paper and presentations to the chancellor - all
in the weeks right before and during final exams. But student
body vice-president Rudy Kleysteuber says the work will be
worth it.
"We were all very committed to the idea that he have this
information on his table and in his mind and on his desk before
making a decision," he said.
And even if the chancellor chooses not to use that information
now, the seminar's participants may be able to help the chancellor
in the future.
"If the decision goes forward, he's also said that he's
committed and we believe he's committed in using student feedback
and input in the development of this program, and that's where
this group may be in an especially important role," added
Kleysteuber.
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