Kenan-Flagler business school proposes tuition increase for students

The Kenan-Flagler Business School has proposed a $2,000 fee increase for undergraduate business majors and a $1,000 increase for business minors beginning in 2018-19 in order to accommodate the rising demand for the major. 

"Business is one of the most popular majors among American college students and at least one of the things that causes interest is the good starting salaries students receive (upon graduation)," said Douglas Shackelford, the dean of the business school. 

The business school is one of the most exclusive schools on UNC’s campus, accepting approximately 350 students for the major and 50 students for the minor every year. The median grade point average for admitted students is 3.65. The school admits students in their sophomore year, allowing them to be official business students their junior and senior year.

There has never been a fee of this amount added to the tuition before, but Shackelford maintains that this fee is for the betterment of the school as a whole.

“What we want to do is enable more students to be able to enter the business school,” Shackelford said.

First-year Laura Ziperski plans to apply to the business school and does not feel the fee will hinder others from applying to the business school.

“I think that as long as the fee is reasonable, it is a good thing,” Ziperski said. “I’m pretty confident (the fee) doesn’t deter you from wanting to apply. For those who need financial assistance it should be an option, it should not prevent people from wanting to apply from the school.”

Current business school student Michael Bono believes the fee is slightly “annoying," but completely worth it in the end. 

“Being in the business school is a worthwhile investment,” Bono said. “The job placement rate is high out of the business school and while it may be a hindrance for the time being, being in the business school truly is a worthwhile investment.”

The theories concerning where the money will go vary among business students, but all agree it will go toward improving the school.

“I think the money will be used for professors' salaries and to improve the facilities,” Bono said. “The professors say it is a pain to have such small facilities, and I know that business professors have high salaries. They often double up on teaching classes so with this fee they might get paid more.”

While many people may have different assumptions of where the money will go, the school has already decided where the allotted money will be spent.

“The money from the fee can be used for restrictive purposes,” Shackelford said. “It can be used to expand student services and programs, it can also be used for staffing those programs and services. Only for student programs, student services and staff for the undergraduate business programs.”

Shackelford insists all discussion about the fee will be open and will not have an impact on students who receive financial aid.

“We intend to communicate widely about the fee and we expect students to be highly knowledgeable and learn about the fee,” Shackelford said. “We are not adding any financial burden to any student on financial aid.”

According to The (Raleigh) News & Observer, the UNC Board of Governors finance committee has reviewed the tuition and fee rates and is expected to vote in March.

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