The University of North Carolina said Thursday the panel will develop a five-year plan setting priorities, deciding spending priorities, and what will happen to academic programs on the 16 state university campuses. The 27-member board includes university system president Tom Ross and the two Republicans in top positions on the system's Board of Governors.

 

The panel also includes the Republicans who lead the state House and Senate, the head of the state's chamber of commerce, and Art Pope, the retail-store magnate who has been a top funder of conservative causes and candidates.

 

The panel also includes five university chancellors and the community college system's president.