As Americans, as North Carolinians and as college students, we all must agree that terrorism is an important issue. Iraq is an important issue. Jobs and the economy are important issues - and all of these topics deserve the weight given them.
But presidential and gubernatorial candidates shouldn't lose university education in the mix.
Governor Easley and state Sen. Ballantine should devote more of their campaign time to talking about how Americans can pay for college - as should President George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry.
With only three weeks left until the Nov. 2 election, it's imperative that we, as part of the voting citizenry, should hear our issues discussed.
Vice-presidential candidate John Edwards has touted the opportunities provided for him in the UNC system, but the future of that system seems to be up in the air here in North Carolina, with major policy questions only half-answered
Republican gubernatorial challenger Patrick Ballantine has had his ideas for major policy changes in the UNC system mentioned in newspapers but hasn't made much effort to bring these up on his own.
His plans include reducing the size and effective parameters of the UNC-system Board of Governors, which now consists of 32 voting members; allowing the BOG to raise tuition, as long as the increases don't affect current students; and helping campus leaders find ways to admit more out-of-state students.
These stand in stark contrast to statements made by Easley, who opposes tuition increases and any shift in the out-of-state enrollment cap.
Easley and Ballantine both failed to make any mention of these issues during their televised debate.