Go low and legal on tuition:Chancellor Thorp should favor proposal that treats students equally regardless of residency status

Of the two proposals the tuition and fee advisory task force recommended to Chancellor Holden Thorp, there is only one clear (and legal) choice: an across-the-board 5.2 percent increase for undergraduate students and 3.7 percent increase for graduate students — regardless of residency.

We commend Student Body President Jasmin Jones and Student Body Vice President David Bevevino for accurately and fairly representing UNC students’ voices during the process of creating a tuition recommendation.

These two were the lone voices in favor of the 5.2 percent proposal.

But the rest of the task force doesn’t get off scot-free.

Supported by the remainder of the task force, the second proposal includes a 6.5 percent increase across the board for undergraduate students.

That recommendation is illegal according to current state law.

The 6.5 percent increase for in-state students would amount to $251.

But during its last session, the N.C. General Assembly mandated that tuition for residents could not be increased more than $200 — which amounts to a 5.2 percent hike. That revenue will go directly to the state.

And nonresidents will have to pay the unfair $200 tuition tax as well. But there is no guarantee that their tuition will be kept low.

An effort to get the General Assembly to allow a 6.5 percent increase would take a major lobbying initiative when the legislature convenes in May 2010 — after students have already left for the summer.

And keep in mind, a desperate General Assembly is unlikely to return the funds from the tuition tax, but no one knows if state representatives would vote to allow another $51 increase.

If the measure fails, nonresidents would suffer a higher percentage increase, and as the Editorial Board has previously opined, they would bear more than their fair share of the budget crisis burden. This is unacceptable.

A 5.2 percent increase for all is the only fair and reasonable suggestion. And Chancellor Holden Thorp agrees; he has indicated support for the lower proposal.

Let’s hope he sticks to his word this time.