4 grad schools could raise tuition

The UNC Board of Trustees was presented with proposals for sizeable increases in tuition costs at four graduate and professional schools during its Wednesday meeting.

Most of the tuition hikes, which could affect both enrolled and prospective students, would fund professors' salaries, added faculty positions and educational programs.

The tuition increases would go into effect in fall 2005 if voted upon favorably by the BOT during its January meeting.

Provost Robert Shelton said that the proposals are well thought out and that graduate and professional school deans understand the tuition-price markets.

"They are all setting aside portions for financial aid so that they don't lose students who can't afford the extra cost," he said.

The Kenan-Flagler Business School and the School of Public Health both proposed multiyear tuition increases, while the School of Law and the School of Medicine have proposed one-time tuition swells.

Shelton said that in the past, it has been more difficult to gain approval for multiyear plans from the UNC-system Board of Governors.

Proposals by the business school's master's of business administration and master's of accounting programs suggested a three-year tuition increase totaling $11,000 more for in-state students and $6,000 more for out-of state students.

Dave Stevens, associate dean of finance and operations for the business school, said the increase will help to compensate faculty salaries.

"We have a significant gap (for faculty salaries) comparing to other top-20 MBA programs," he said.

In-state tuition would increase $3,000 the first year and $4,000 for the second and third years, while nonresidents would see a flat $2,000 increase for three years.

The School of Public Health has plans for a five-year, $500-per-year tuition increase for all master's of public health students.

Officials are looking to use the increases to overcome significant declines in state funding.

The School of Law has proposed a one-time tuition increase of $500 for in-state students and $1,000 for nonresidents. The increase will not affect current students.

"The purpose of the tuition increase is to add two faculty positions," said Gene Nichol, dean of the school. "We are attempting to restore positions that were lost due to budget cuts."

The proposal issued by the school states that once the increase affects all students, it will generate an additional $402,500. Of that, 25 percent will fund need-based financial aid, and remaining funds will cover salaries for the two instructors.

The School of Medicine proposed increasing tuition for in-state students by $1,500. If approved, this will go into effect for all entering and enrolled students next fall.

Officials at the school are looking to use the funds for educational program investments such as software acquisitions to continue a Web-based curriculum system. One quarter of the excess would fund need-based financial aid.

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.