Panel OKs hikes in fees

A committee on student fees concluded its Friday morning meeting with a positive outlook after tackling the six least controversial proposals for changes of student fees.

Members of the Chancellor's Committee on Student Fees said they expect to continue on schedule and to review all 21 of the proposals in time for the November meeting of the UNC Board of Trustees, which is responsible for approving the potential increases.

"We've really been doing our homework before we get here," said Student Body President Matt Calabria, co-chairman of the committee. "It allows the student representatives to be very strong advocates for the issues."

Among the increases approved by the committee, which advises Chancellor James Moeser on student fee issues, were:

- a $1 increase in the fees for student government;

- a $1 increase for the language proficiency exam;

- a $2 increase to the fee for athletics -- which provides funding for all varsity sports except men's basketball and football;

- a $5 increase for orientation for first-year masters of business administration students;

- a $5 increase for orientation for first-year graduate and professional students.

The committee also approved the proposed decrease for the UNC ONE Card, which will allow students to purchase a replacement card for $10 instead of $20.

Representatives of the organizations requesting fee increases backed their proposals at Friday's meeting.

Dick Baddour, director of athletics, advocated that the committee approve the athletics fee increase.

"We're really stretched with what we're doing," he said. "Our goal is to maintain the program we have."

Calabria said that he is happy with the collaboration between students and administrators, noting that the administration has been very receptive to the student representatives' opinions and concerns.

The members reached a consensus on a majority of the proposals reviewed Friday with little objection.

Some questions arose, however, concerning the fairness of the proposed $73 increase to the education and technology fee.

Jen Bushman, president of the Graduate and Professional Student Federation, highlighted the issue of whether or not graduate students will fully benefit from the funds.

The committee will continue discussions regarding this fee and its usefulness for graduate students at its next meeting Wednesday.

"I want to ensure that there's fair allocation of the funds generated by the students," Bushman said. "It's the way for students to get from Carolina what they want to get from Carolina."

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.