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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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