CHAPEL HILL – The strategic plan developed by former UNC System President Margaret Spellings, Higher Expectations, talks about building more “on ramps” to higher education for underrepresented rural, minority and first-generation students.

The System’s Interim President, William Roper, says he sees no need for that to change. Roper quotes Spellings’ “crisp” description of the plan in the accompanying video.

“‘It’s all about getting more people into the University, awarding their degrees faster than ever so that they can exit into productive lives and careers for the people of North Carolina,’” Roper says.

“That’s what we want to do,” he says. “I have no desire or intention to come up with a new strategic plan – that one’s a good one, and we just need to execute on it over the next several years. I think that’s what the people of North Carolina expect of us. That’s what we want to do.”

Roper talks about holding the Chancellor at each UNC institution accountable for meeting the goals for enrolling – and graduating – more students from those underrepresented populations.

“We’re regularly now, week to week, monitoring their progress towards accomplishing their goals. That’s the way we’re going to do it going forward,” he says.