No trade-off necessary; keep cap on out-of-staters

TO THE EDITOR:

First, as an old Army vet, I thank you for your “Thank You” editorial cartoon on Veteran’s Day. However, I have an issue with the editorial immediately below (“Cap and trade-off,” Nov. 11). The University of North Carolina is funded primarily by the people ­— the taxpayers — of North Carolina.

I see no good reason to decrease the number of North Carolina students by admitting more “out-of-staters.” As you say, that may increase average test scores of the incoming class.

But look at the unintended consequences. This would probably decrease diversity, which, as everyone knows, is by far the most important aspect of education — much more than mere academics. Ways would have to be found to avoid such a decrease — perhaps more “affirmative action” by sneaky, roundabout methods. We already have enough of this. Let’s keep the cap at 18 percent.



J. E. Williams
UNC ’50