Sindy Huang
*Editor's note: the original photo has been replaced.
Chancellor Randy Woodson speaks at the 2018 Fall Chancellor's Address on Friday, Nov. 2 in Talley Student Union during Red and White Week. During the address, the chancellor talked about his pride in the excellence of NC State student body and the high rankings NC State has been achieving.
NC State Chancellor Randy Woodson spent Friday of Red and White Week facilitating campus decisions, making major announcements and engaging with students and alumni.
Technician had the opportunity to shadow Chancellor Woodson last Friday to see what a day in his life looks like.
Tuition and fee review meeting
Chancellor Woodson met with members of the tuition and fees committees to review and approve the possible changes in tuition and fees for the year. There is not a significant increase in tuition this year and no increase in fees.
“This is a required meeting for them to present to me the findings of the committee and for me to either approve or to ask for changes,” Woodson said. “I approved today and then that’s a necessary step before it goes to the Board of Trustees, and generally what I’m looking for is to know that they sought and received sufficient input from the fees side.”
The meeting consisted of Student Body President Jess Errico, a fifth-year studying mechanical and aerospace engineering, Student Senate President Adam Schmidt, a third-year studying civil engineering, Vice Chancellor Mike Mullen and Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Warwick Arden.
However, Chancellor Woodson said that this year, the fees have not increased, making the committee’s job easier.
“Generally when there is [an increase], it’s a back and forth process where Student Government recommends a certain level [of increase], the university looks at the budget needs and then we come to some agreement,” Chancellor Woodson said.
The approval of tuition and fees will go to the Board of Trustees at their next meeting on Nov. 16.
Campaign Cabinet meeting
Woodson attended the campaign cabinet brunch and meeting as a part of Red and White week. The campaign cabinet consists of members of the NC State and surrounding community who are engaged with the university to help identify potential donors.
NC State’s capital campaign was launched in 2016. During the meeting, it was announced that the campaign has raised $1.4 billion of its $1.6 billion goal. The money donated to the campaign goes to student scholarships, endowed faculty positions, renovations and more. Woodson said the campaign is one of the biggest parts of his job.
“I probably spend, depending on the week, anywhere from 25 to 30 percent of my time working on the campaign,” Woodson said. “The chancellor’s job is primarily external… my job is really to represent the university to the alumni, to the general assembly and those kind of things. So the campaign is a big part of that.”
Woodson said another aspect of his job is meeting with student leaders.
“I’d like it to be more, but honestly so much of the direct contact with student leaders is with the Vice Chancellor Mullen and others,” Woodson said. “…It’s rare for me to go through a week where I don’t have some meeting with students.”
The campaign entered into its third year in October.
Fall Address
Prior to the Fall Address, which took place in Talley Student Union, Woodson interacted with students waiting in line for ‘Wear Red, Get Fed’.
During the Fall Address, Woodson spoke about the large updates and changes to the university. Woodson announced that $1.4 billion of the $1.6 billion goal had been met for the Capital Campaign that was launched two years ago. In addition, the name change of University College Commons to Holmes Hall to honor Irwin Holmes, the university’s first African-American undergraduate to obtain a bachelor’s degree, was mentioned.
“The Fall Address is really about trying to thank people and talk about positive things that are going on in the university,” Woodson said. “Historically the speeches are sort of a laundry list of accomplishments; faculty that have gotten awards, and students and all of that.”
At the Fall Address, it was also announced that the College of Textiles’ name has been changed to the Wilson College of Textiles to honor the Wilson family, who donated $28 million to the college.
College of Textiles celebration
According to Woodson, the Wilson family became connected to the University less than a year ago when their grandson, Rede Wilson, a third-generation graduate from NC State, got engaged in the Textile Foundation Board.
“What I mean by connected is when they really understand what the university is trying to accomplish, and what some of our challenges are and how they might help,” Woodson said. “Connections could be as simple as being a member of the Alumni Association, going to events that are held by the university or being on an advisory board.”
Woodson talked about the success of Red and White Week and how the work he does as chancellor leads up to these big announcements.
“If I retire from here as chancellor, and we’ve got a college like Textiles endowed with $28 million and we’ve honored the legacy of a man who broke down barriers and changed this university forever, I think that’s a pretty good day’s work,” Woodson said.
Red and White Night: Pre-reception and event
Woodson attended and spoke at the Red and White Night event Friday evening. The event honors alumni and donors of the university, and the evening included speakers, performances and videos.
Woodson said that day-to-day work builds up to special events like Red and White week.
“This is clearly a very different day,” Woodson said. “It’s mostly about celebrations instead of about running the university.”