BOG Could Halt All Tuition Increases

The UNC-system Board of Governors will consider Friday a freeze on all tuition increases for the 2003-04 academic year, an action prompted by concerns about the impact of a faltering economy on students and their families.

The freeze, which was approved by the BOG Budget and Finance Committee on Dec. 5, would affect both systemwide and campus-initiated increases.

The action comes in the wake of three consecutive years of tuition increases, during which tuition at UNC-system schools has increased by an average of 62 percent. Last year alone the BOG raised tuition by $486 for in-state UNC-Chapel Hill students and $1,778 for out-of-state UNC-CH students.

Many BOG members said they are confident the recommendation will pass the full board. "I feel sure that the majority will support it," said BOG Vice Chairwoman Teena Little, also a committee member.

The committee had input regarding the plan from several outside board members, said committee Chairman Addison Bell. "I think the board in general is in agreement -- (we) need to take a break," he said.

BOG member Ray Farris said he thinks the freeze is necessary because students and their families have contributed more than their fair share to higher education costs in North Carolina. "I believe that there's a feeling that the economy is so rough in North Carolina and students (have) borne such a high percentage of the cost, evidenced by increases over the last few years, (that) they believe it's enough."

But some members expressed concern that the system would suffer without additional revenue from tuition hikes. The rising costs of enrollment growth have been covered by funds generated from increased tuition.

Bell said the committee acted with the hope that the legislature would include enrollment growth in its continuing budget, making additional funds from the system unnecessary.

But some legislators said the state's precarious budget situation might prevent the General Assembly -- which ultimately is responsible for setting tuition rates -- from accepting the BOG's recommendation.

The extent of the state's budget crisis and the needs of other state agencies must be examined before a decision concerning tuition is made, said N.C. Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand, D-Cumberland. "We'll have to look at everything."

Rand stressed that it is impossible to predict how the legislature will respond to the BOG's recommendation because revenue projections for next year are not yet available.

Little acknowledged that while the BOG is looking at students and their families, the General Assembly must consider the overall state budget and its impact. But she added that the circumstances facing students make the tuition freeze necessary.

"We feel that this is the appropriate time to not ask for an increase," she said. "We hope (the legislature) will listen to what the board has done."

The State & National Editor can be reached at stntdesk@unc.edu.