Future ranking uncertain

Kiplinger Personal Finance magazine has just named UNC the ""best value"" among U.S. public colleges for the eighth year in a row" but we must proceed with caution and foresight as we increase tuition and enrollment.

UNC indeed provides an affordable yet renowned public education. Total in-state cost is $13700 compared to $23400 at the University of California at Berkeley. Average debt at graduation at UNC is less than $150 compared to more than twice that at Iowa State.

Because the Kiplinger ranking accounts for both quality and affordability it is a good indicator of a university's overall attractiveness.

But our continued high rankings could be in jeopardy if the University is not careful with tuition and enrollment increases.

Since undergraduate enrollment could increase dramatically" doubts about whether UNC can remain a ""best value"" are justifiable.

In addition" recent proposals to increase tuition would not only make UNC less affordable but would also threaten our ability to attract top high school graduates.

To maintain our reputation as a valuable but affordable school we must match increased tuition and enrollment with continued education quality.

There are several steps the University can take to accomplish this.

The additional tuition revenue can go toward merit scholarships to attract high school talent. It can also fund more undergraduate research to stimulate achievement among the student body. And it can go toward providing benefits for faculty to attract talented professors to UNC.

University administrators and student leadership must explore ways to maximize the benefits of tuition increases and minimize the impact of increased enrollment.