Tuition forum fails to attract

A tuition forum, organized by student leaders hoping to communicate with the student body about potential tuition hikes, was plagued Thursday night by a lack of publicity and student interest.

Student Body President Seth Dearmin said earlier this week that he would use the forum to gauge student opinion. But of the 18 students to attend the event, most were members of student government.

"I thought the information presented was exactly what students need to hear," said Mary Williams, one of Dearmin's executive assistants. "I think it's a shame more people didn't come to hear."

Dearmin explained the tuition process to the group and detailed progress made by the tuition advisory task force, of which he serves as co-chairman.

He said tuition increases might be necessary to retain top faculty and graduate students.

The task force discussed numbers for the first time Wednesday and expects to cement a proposal during its Oct. 10 meeting.

Dearmin said the task force is focusing heavily on graduate student needs.

Adrian Johnston, student body vice president and a task force member, explained that the group also is looking at race and ethnicity.

"We want to ensure that tuition increases are not altering the make up of the campus," Johnston said. "It really fundamentally affects what Carolina is all about."

Dearmin announced the forum for the first time publicly Monday night and said he would rely on word of mouth to attract students.

Joy Kasaaian, president of the Out-of-State Student Association, said she sent an e-mail to the organization's listserv advertising the event but said she wasn't surprised that students didn't attend.

"It's still kind of early in the year," Kasaaian said. "Later when they have actual numbers more people will come out."

Despite the low turnout, Dearmin said he is confident that as tuition becomes more of a pressing issue, students will become more vocal about their views.

"Students will be more passionate about this down the line," he said.

Dearmin said he will plan future forums and hopes they will attract larger audiences, especially if students want their views considered.

"If this is an issue that is important and they want to be heard - they need to give feedback," he said. "Even if students are content, I want to hear from them. I want as many students to be involved in the process as possible."

 

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.