Students Mark Spellings' First Day With Protests

Margaret Spellings, the new president of the University of North Carolina system, had her first day on the job Tuesday. Her hiring has been controversial and at some campuses, it a was day marked by protest.

About a hundred people gathered outside of the student union at UNC Greensboro to voice their concerns about Spellings. Alumnus Zachary Easterling says she's not good choice.

“We're worried about her ideology which seems to be moving the university system to more of a for-profit institution. We're worried about the closing and defunding of HBCUs and the underfunding of minority studies and liberal arts programs," he says.

Sophomore Nikki Russ says she doesn't think Spellings will listen to students with an open mind.

"She's not here for the students, she's here to capitalize off of us," Russ says. "She's called the students 'customers' several times before."

Other students were willing to give Spellings a chance. Tyler Sweed spent five years in the Navy and is now a sophomore at UNCG. He says he sees too much complaining on campus.

“It's great to have your own beliefs and your own opinions and this and that. But really it's like the old kindergarten saying – if you don't have something nice to say don't say anything at all,” he says.

Spellings is a former Education Secretary under George W. Bush. She takes over for Tom Ross, who was ousted by the UNC board last year.