Michigan’s winters are a lot colder than North Carolina’s, a couple of influential Tar Heels reminded Kevin M. Guskiewicz hours after news broke that he might leave his job as chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for the Michigan State University presidency.
On the evening of November 15, Michigan State’s student newspaper first reported that Guskiewicz was the sole finalist for the presidency. Emails obtained by The Chronicle through an open-records request show that Guskiewicz’s inbox quickly became the site of an intense lobbying effort. Current and former trustees, faculty members, a donor, a state politician, and a New York Times opinion writer all weighed in on the chancellor’s next move.
Most of the emails sent to Guskiewicz in the wake of the news expressed hope that he would turn down Michigan State and remain in North Carolina, even while several referenced ongoing leadership strife at UNC as reasons why they would understand if he left.
Two weeks later, Guskiewicz still has not announced a decision. A Michigan State spokesman told The Chronicle there was no update on the university’s presidential search. The board had previously said it planned to announce a new president by Thanksgiving.
A response to a message Guskiewicz sent to trustees appeared to urge him to stay: “You have done an incredible job navigating [UNC] through some very choppy waters and taken the high road each step of the way,” Ralph W. Meekins Sr., a trustee, wrote. “I strongly believe that you could take UNC to even higher ground if you were to stay and continue to fight for what is right and if our board were to better support you.”
Another trustee seemed to take the opposing view. “MSU presents a great opportunity for any chancellor — especially one with your skill set,” W.M. (Marty) Kotis III wrote. He added: “You’ve shown an ability to work with various constituencies at the university and aligning MSU with a common vision would be of great impact. Thank you for your service and the improvements you’ve made at UNC.”
Due to tensions with the board, Guskiewicz has been looking for an escape from his current job for several months, three current or former trustees from UNC and Michigan State previously told The Chronicle. He and the system leadership have informally agreed that he will move on before or at the end of this academic year, those sources said. Guskiewicz and UNC did not respond to requests for comment.
In a statement issued after his candidacy was made public, Guskiewicz said he was “focused” on serving Chapel Hill. “Through the years,” he added, “a variety of professional opportunities have been presented to me. My family and I must weigh each one, and we are weighing this one.”
We need you, Carolina needs you, and the university system needs you.
Plus it is cold in Michigan. Too cold.
Guskiewicz sent a version of that statement directly to members of the Board of Trustees and his administrative team.
As news spread, people across the campus community reached out to the chancellor. “The faculty, students, and staff count on your leadership,” wrote Deborah M. Weissman, a law professor. “Everyone I know is buzzing with concern about the possibility of your leaving. Please do not leave this university that you love and that needs you.”
“Say it isn’t so!!!!” read the subject line of an email from Frank Bruni, a contributing writer at The New York Times. Don Curtis, a former trustee and prominent UNC donor, told the chancellor, “You are needed more than ever at the university.” He added: “Your diplomatic skills and understanding of the big picture have navigated through some of the most difficult times. But keep in mind that you will face some of the same challenges at Michigan State as well.”
“Please hang in at Carolina,” wrote Paul Fulton, a former dean of UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School and a former trustee. “I can only imagine how difficult and frustrating your job is. But you have been a damn good chancellor in a very difficult period. We need you, Carolina needs you, and the university system needs you.
“Plus it is cold in Michigan. Too cold.”
Marcia Morey, a Democratic member of the North Carolina General Assembly, also pleaded with Guskiewicz to stay. “As a member of the legislature and a devoted UNC supporter, I implore you to keep leading UNC-CH.”
“Winters in Michigan are unbearable!” she added. “Please stay here where it’s warmer and people deeply care about the future of UNC-CH.”
Andy Thomason contributed reporting.
