Spellings worries that HB2 will hurt UNC’s appeal

Margaret Spellings, the new president of the 17-campus University of North Carolina, has rightfully expressed concern about HB2, the law passed by Republican leaders to prohibit localities from passing anti-discrimination ordinances to protect citizens on issues of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Spellings issued a directive about how campuses should comply with HB2, and that was interpreted by some as an endorsement. But she made it clear within 24 hours that she does not endorse the law and is worried about its consequences.

For example, she fears the “chill” the law might have on the climate and culture of university campuses, traditionally known for being open to different views and a diversity of populations. She’s worried that there might be trouble recruiting students and faculty “of all types from all over the world.”

The president’s concerns about the recruitment of faculty and the drawing of conferences to UNC system branches may reflect HB2 effects that are already being felt. Have any campuses had faculty applicants withdraw or academic events put in jeopardy?

After all, HB2 isn’t just about losing potential faculty members who are gay or transgender; it’s about losing scholars who have worked in diverse, open-minded, welcoming environments all their professional lives. Why would they want to go to a potentially hostile environment? The answer’s easy: they wouldn’t.

There have been other high-profile reactions to HB2 as well. Bruce Springsteen canceled a sold-out show in Greensboro in protest, and when a megastar takes such an action, others are likely to follow. Already, movie production companies have said they don’t plan to do business in North Carolina. And there are concerns that HB2 could affect touring productions at places like Durham’s DPAC or Raleigh’s Duke Energy complex.

Amid all this, it’s apparent, and sadly so, that Gov. Pat McCrory is powerless to do anything to fix what he and his Republican colleagues in the General Assembly helped to break, even if he were so inclined. The governor signed off on HB2 in a flash, and then insulted the intelligence of his constituents by wrongly claiming it wouldn’t have any impact on local laws on discrimination, when in effect it would undermine them.

Legislative leaders, who likely won’t pay any attention to the governor — they haven’t so far — seem to be sitting smugly by, enjoying the real and potential problems they’ve created for cities and for institutions such as the university.

This story was originally published April 11, 2016 at 7:26 PM with the headline "Spellings worries that HB2 will hurt UNC’s appeal."