For UNC Schools, 2016 Was A Year Of Controversy

Politics played an increasing role in the state's public colleges in 2016, with moves by the legislature often resulting in campus controversy.

The year began on a confrontational note as students across the state protested the hiring of Margaret Spellings, a former Bush Administration education secretary, to lead the UNC system schools. She replaced Tom Ross, who had been president since 2011 before being pushed out.

Related content: Ross disagrees with decision to replace him

Spellings' views on issues like gay rights led to student protests and walkouts across the state's campuses.

Then, another controversy – HB2, the state's so-called bathroom bill. Spellings initially said the state's colleges must support the new law, which would have forced transgender students and employees to use bathrooms that corresponded to the sex on their birth certificate.

When the U.S. Department of Justice warned that the move violated Title IX protections, which would likely would have meant a loss of federal funding, Spellings reversed course and said she would not enforce the bill.

Also this year the GOP-led legislature took control of appointing university trustees who had been picked by the governor. The change was made during a special session that curtailed the powers of incoming Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat.

Critics say that move could threaten the accreditation process, which includes protections against undue political influence.