Members of Student Body President Justin Young's Cabinet said they will meet three times this week, starting tonight, to come up with their own tuition proposal.
The move for a student-initiated proposal stems from student leaders' dissatisfaction with their ability to influence the Task Force on Tuition -- a committee of students, faculty and administrators that is drafting recommendations for the Jan. 24 BOT meeting.
"Instead of simply saying, 'No, we don't want a tuition increase,' we are trying to take a more proactive approach and give our stance on it and say how we think a tuition increase should be implemented," said Frances Ferris, external relations committee chairwoman for the executive branch of student government.
Ferris said she and other student leaders plan to research the history of tuition increases at UNC and to develop a proposal for how much tuition should be increased and where the money should go.
The resulting proposal will be presented to the BOT by Young, a voting member of the board.
Ferris said she thinks this strategy is necessary because students' voices are not being heard. "We're trying to do something different," she said. "(Students on the task force) are finding they make suggestions and are not given the attention they deserve."
Young said he thinks the student government proposal will provide a crucial perspective.
"In my eyes, there are concerns out there for students, and the opportunity is presenting itself to make the case known," he said.
Young said he is not concerned about a conflict of interest between his role as co-chairman of the task force and his intention to present the new proposal. "I'm looking for as much feedback as possible to help the Board of Trustees make the best, most educated decision," he said. "Sitting on the task force gives me a perspective that allows me to make the best, most educated presentation."
