Advising
School of Government experts respond to thousands of calls and emails annually, providing critical guidance to administrators, governing boards, legislators, and statewide commissions.
Since 2012, School of Government faculty have responded to 106,548 advising requests (and counting). Faculty responded to advising requests covering 237 unique areas of expertise.
Top Advising Requests by Category Last Fiscal Year
Municipal
County
Courts
Advising in Action
Wondering what types of questions our faculty answer? The examples below represent a snapshot of the thousands of inquiries answered each year in person and via phone, email, and Zoom call.
We have a new vacancy on the city council, and I can’t understand what the statute is telling us to do. Help!
Who has hiring and firing authority over employees of the county department of social services?
When can a local government require home builders to construct affordable housing?
“As planning/safety director and emergency manager, the School of Government has provided answers to questions that enhanced my overall ability to perform my job.”
Planning/Safety Director and Emergency Manager
Faculty Expertise
From registers of deeds to juvenile justice and voting rights to water and sewage services, faculty are available around the clock to support local and state government officials with pressing problems. Read the complete list of faculty expertise areas.
Expertise areas can cover a broad range of topics and applications. During the last fiscal year, School faculty responded to requests for advice on issues including (but not limited to):
- Affordable housing
- American Rescue Plan Act
- Custody issues
- COVID-19 and the Coronavirus Relief Act
- Property disposal
- Economic development
- Chapter 160D
- Open meetings law
- Procurement
- Voting rules
- Remote hearings
“All of the faculty that I have worked with are trusted, diligent sources of information that I depend on. On more than one occasion, School staff have aided me in clarifying issues and pointing me to resources that helped me do my job. The School continues to be a valuable resource to all government officials.”
District Court Judge
Survey Feedback
Clients count on this extensive advising and support to carry out their jobs more effectively and efficiently.
“Receiving advice saved me time I would have spent researching answers.”
(n=1,596)
“The advice helped clarify a complex issue.”
(n=1,610)
“School of Government faculty/staff provided helpful information in response to my advising request.”
(n=1,624)
“On several occasions, I have had questions come up in the performance of my job duties. I have reached out to the School of Government by both phone and email and have received prompt and helpful answers to my questions.”
Magistrate
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill