Money would support various needs

The Board of Trustees will vote today on the proposal of its Audit and Finance Committee to increase out-of-state tuition by $1,000 and in-state tuition by $250.

The increase — 7.8 percent for undergraduate residents and 6.1 percent for undergraduate nonresidents — would accrue a total of $8,476,463, excluding money paid to professional schools with school-based tuition. It would fund priorities established by the Tuition Task Force: need-based aid, faculty salaries, teaching assistant salaries and boosting faculty positions.

The recommendation followed controversy about an increased burden on out-of-state students.

At Monday’s student tuition forum, members of the advisory Tuition Task Force advocated a $350 increase for residents and an $800 increase for nonresidents.

“I think out-of-state students are already disproportionately strained,” said Student Body President Matt Calabria.

But in a memorandum sent to trustees, Chancellor James Moeser cited UNC’s commitment to low resident tuition and need to fund its top priorities. He recommended a $1,200 increase for nonresidents and a $250 increase for residents.

This year, North Carolinians paid $3,205 in tuition, while out-of-state students paid $16, 303.

Calabria said out-of-state undergraduates paid almost $700 more than the actual cost of their education, while residents paid well under the cost, estimated at $15,626.

 

Leaders agree, however, that an increase is necessary to fund the University’s demonstrated needs.

After 40 percent of the new tuition revenue got set aside to cover need-based aid, the remaining $5.1 million would be distributed to other priorities.

“No one on aid will pay for the increase,” said John Ellison, a member of the Board of Trustees and Tuition Task Force.

Calabria, underscoring the importance of salary increases for professors, said that before last year’s tuition increases, UNC lost two-thirds of its professors to outside job offers. In the time since the increase, UNC retained two-thirds.

“In order to attract and attain top-notch faculty we need those monies,” Calabria said.

He also said the minimum stipend for teaching assistants — $5,500 per semester — is far below that of UNC’s peers.

Calabria cited unavailability of listed courses and crowded introductory classes as reasons for boosting the faculty-student ratio.

A recent elasticity study states that though the University can be more flexible with resident tuition, costs in general can increase safely at a rate proportional to that of UNC’s competitors.

Jerry Lucido, vice provost for enrollment management, pointed to the study when he outlined the need for increases.

“I hope they increase tuition at levels that keep Carolina affordable for students and their families without compromising quality."

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.