THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 10, 1995 TAG: 9502100483
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PERRY PARKS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SANDERLING LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
Officials of the University of North Carolina system may have to work harder in the coming years to get the same support from the General Assembly, legislative liaisons told the system's governing body Thursday.
``I think that we may initiate more discussions'' with legislators rather than passively responding to requests for information, James Earl Danieley, assistant to the UNC president, said after an afternoon briefing.
Danieley and D.G. Martin Jr., vice president for public affairs with the UNC system, addressed the 32-member Board of Governors during a retreat at the Sanderling Inn.
``Our role has been facilitator rather than persuader,'' Martin told the group. ``We've helped members of the General Assembly do what they were inclined to do.''
But talk of massive tax cuts and budget cuts, and private indications that some people think the university system is receiving too much money, may lead to a change in focus for UNC officials dealing with lawmakers.
``All of us . . . will be reassessing whether or not there are changes that will be necessary and helpful'' in being more proactive, Martin said.
The discussion concluded the last business session Thursday, following a series of morning committee meetings and a briefing on organizations such as the Research Triangle Park and the State Education Assistance Authority that are related to the UNC system.
Also reviewed during a session called ``The University: Getting the Word Out,'' was survey data from a poll conducted shortly before a statewide bond referendum supporting the UNC system passed in 1993.
The survey, of 700 registered voters who had said they planned to vote in the 1993 election, showed a generally high regard for the university system.
It also revealed a strong wave of support among voters for improving public schools ahead of all other aspects of the state.
The information prompted a discussion about the public school system, with board members noting they had been asked how the North Carolina universities could be so good and the public schools so bad.
Board member Benjamin Ruffin suggested that university officials should tell people about UNC's efforts to help public schools improve, such as outreach programs with local school systems.
The board will convene again at 9 a.m. today for its regular meeting. by CNB