Students lead protest against new UNC president

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Tuesday doezens of UNCW students gathered in front of the clock tower on campus to speak out against Margaret Spellings, the new UNC system president.

Students argued her selection for the position was not as transparent as it should have been and even signed a banner demanding more transparency from the state system.

“The circumstance of her coming about as president is dubious at best I think,” said UNCW sophomore Dixon Wingrove.

UNC Board of Governors member Thom Goolsby said Spellings truly was the best choice for the job.

“She was unanimously supported by the entire board and we’re very happy to have her,” Goolsby said.

He adds she has the experience needed to handle the challenges of the system.

“With the athletic scandal that we’ve had, with the other problems that we’ve had in the system, it’s time for leadership that I believe Margaret Spellings will bring to the university system,” Goolsby said.

But students insist, Spellings does not respect the diversity of the student body.

“She’s a homophobe. She doesn’t treat them with any sort of respect. Where everyone needs a safe environment to learn. You can’t be fearful of anything and have the same kind of responses to questions and growth needed in a college environment,” said Dixon Wingrove a UNCW sophomore.

Some caution this situation is an exact result of apathy in the election process.

“They need to bear the critique that this is just as much on them as it is on us. And as we go into this presidential election in the fall it’s very important to look at if you don’t vote, we’re getting exactly what we deserve,” said senior Steven Nunez.

Spellings officially started her job as president today.