92 items found for your search. If no results were found please broaden your search.
(11/20/06 5:00am)
UNC officials have some homework to do.
Administrators will have until January to determine whether a tuition plan proposed by Chancellor James Moeser is feasible.
Moeser suggested Thursday at the Board of Trustees meeting that out-of-state undergraduate students receive a one-time increase in tuition, effective fall 2007.
The proposal, which aims to improve predictability for these students, would mean that nonresidents would pay a consistent tuition rate for four years.
Steve Farmer, director of undergraduate admissions, has been charged by Moeser with looking into the proposal.
Farmer said he plans to speak with colleagues at other universities, as well as consultants, as part of the investigation.
"This is a new idea for Chapel Hill," he said.
With the cost of higher education continually increasing, several universities have put locked-in tuition plans in place.
At the University of Kansas, a tuition predictability plan was introduced by student leaders, said Lindy Eakin, vice provost for administration and finance at the school.
Kansas has approved a locked-in tuition policy for fall 2007, Eakin said.
Each incoming class is evaluated individually, and the guarantee extends to all undergraduates.
The main difference between UNC and Kansas is that Kansas charges its students based on the number of credit hours taken.
Eakin said administrators found the proposal favorable because it emphasizes four-year graduation rates. Students who don't complete requirements within four years will face an increase in per-credit hour tuition.
"We thought that being able to communicate cost to students and families would be a real benefit to them," he said.
At UNC, increases are not pegged to credit hours. An increase figure likely would fall around the $4,000 range for nonresidents in the class of 2011.
Moeser said Thursday he believes tuition predictability will help UNC's out-of-state students feel less like cash cows.
Alison Savignano, political committee co-chairwoman for the Out-of-State Student Association, said the proposal sounds good in principle, but she worries it could have a negative impact in practice.
"Predictability has always been our No. 1 focus," Savignano said of the OSSA. "We're just really afraid . that this would detract from the diversity of out-of-state students."
She said her main concern is that a sudden spike of $4,000 would price out otherwise-interested students. "That's predicting a $1,000 increase (per year), which is almost absurd," she said.
Nonresidents in the class of 2007 have seen tuition increase by $3,300 since they came to Chapel Hill.
Savignano said the recommendation of the tuition and fee advisory task force, which suggested that nonresidents pay $500 more next year, is preferable.
Trustees are slated to approve tuition proposals for the 2007-08 year at their January meeting.
"I think it will make for an interesting couple of months," Farmer said. "I certainly think we'll know more in January than we know now."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
Locked-in tuition
University officials are looking into the possibility of setting a locked-in tuition rate for out-of-state students. Several other schools also have explored this option.
Western Illinois University
Who it affects: Undergraduate students
Effective: Summer 1999
Policy: Undergraduates are offered a cost guarantee for tuition and fees rates for each class of entering students. The guaranteed rates remain in effect for four years if students maintain continuous enrollment.
University of Kansas
Who it affects: Undergraduate students
Effective: Fall 2007
Policy: Incoming students will pay the same tuition rate for four years of college. The rate will reflect the average of the credit-hour tuition increases anticipated during the students' time at the university.
(11/17/06 5:00am)
Chancellor James Moeser threw a curveball to the UNC Board of Trustees Thursday when members gathered to discuss tuition policy.
Moeser put a new offer on the table, proposing that incoming students receive a one-time increase in tuition.
A change would mean that students who enroll at UNC in fall 2007 would pay a consistent tuition rate for four years.
A figure likely would fall around the $4,000 range this year but would differ for each incoming class.
"Our students are asking for predictability," Moeser said. "This would provide that."
But those who already attend the University still would be subject to yearly fluctuations.
"We would use this hopefully to barter a much lower increase," Student Body President James Allred said of the effect a change could have on current students.
Locked-in tuition already takes place at the University of Illinois and University of Kansas.
Moeser began Thursday's meeting firmly supporting the recommendation of the tuition and fee advisory task force. The proposal calls for a $250 tuition increase for in-state undergraduates and a $500 increase for all other students.
But it soon became apparent that many board members were zeroing in on a heftier sum that could push an increase up into the $1,000 range for nonresident undergraduates.
The trustees' stance led Moeser to pitch the additional option.
He said he has asked Steve Farmer, director of undergraduate admissions, to examine the possible implications the policy could have on enrollment.
The results will be presented at the board's January meeting, when trustees are slated to make the final decision about tuition for the 2007-08 year.
Moeser said he believes the tuition increases that have been piled on out-of-state students year after year have had a negative impact on the student culture at UNC.
"And it's not just from the non-North Carolinians," he told trustees. "It's from the residents. They don't think it's fair."
Last year board members approved increases of $1,100 for nonresident undergraduates, $250 for resident undergraduates and $500 for graduate students.
The year before, in-state tuition was frozen and out-of-state student tuition rose by $950.
The board faces a new constraint this year because UNC-system President Erskine Bowles announced in October that in-state tuition and student fees could not exceed a 6.5-percent increase.
This year the tuition and fee advisory task force recommended close to the maximum allowed increase under the guidelines.
Trustee Roger Perry said he thinks increases are justified because the quality of UNC applicants has improved each year despite rising prices.
Others said they are concerned about appearing as though they are milking out-of-state students.
Earlier this year some officials, including Moeser, speculated that it would be more difficult to levy large tuition hikes this year as a result of a 6-percent increase in faculty salaries approved this summer by the N.C. legislature.
Much of the tuition money goes to fund faculty salaries.
Perry said students should understand the necessity of tuition increases, especially when it comes to keeping up with peer institutions.
But Allred countered that many students attend UNC because it is less expensive than these comparable schools.
"We know what the student body looks like at Virginia. We know what it looks like at Michigan," he said.
"That's not what Carolina wants to look like. Carolina wants to retain its public feel."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(11/16/06 5:00am)
The Board of Trustees unanimously approved Wednesday design plans for three major construction projects.
Plans to expand and renovate the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, develop the Bell Tower area and improve Boshamer Stadium all received the go ahead from the board.
Members were briefed during their full board meeting by facilities planning and construction representatives and were able to view site plans and models of the projects.
Alterations to the Morehead building, which entail an expanded lobby and more green space, are set to cost $35 million.
"The addition would provide much-needed amenities, as well as a public face to the town," said Anna Wu, director of facilities planning, about the Franklin Street building.
But despite the design approval, construction is stalled until funding is secured.
"Candidly, I think we'll just have to wait and see how that unfolds over the next few years," said Bruce Runberg, associate vice chancellor for facilities planning and construction, after the meeting.
Development plans for the Bell Tower area, which met scrutiny at the board's September meeting, received a more favorable reception this time around.
Concerns about construction materials and funding for the Bell Tower parking deck had prompted the questions.
Planners added brick to the design of the Genomic Sciences Building and warmer tones to concrete to ensure that the building blends with the style of nearby buildings.
The building will cost $45 million, of which $28 million has been secured. The building will feature a rooftop greenhouse, research laboratories and space for classrooms.
Runberg said officials also have secured between one-half to two-thirds of funding for the $30 million Bell Tower parking deck. The money came from already existing sources.
Trustees told the developers the plan met their expectations.
"Thank you for a much better presentation," said Nelson Schwab, chairman of the board.
Improvements and additions to Boshamer Stadium will cost about $14 million and are slated to begin at the conclusion of the 2007 baseball season.
Capacity will be expanded to 4,000 seats, and the entrance will feature new brick arches and broad iron gates. The construction will mean the team will be without a home field for about a year.
"It's a good problem to have," Director of Athletics Dick Baddour said.
Runberg also detailed the progress of UNC's $1.8 billion capital program.
So far, 62 projects - or 34 percent of the total - have been completed, and 38 are under construction.
The board will convene again at 8 a.m. today to discuss graduation rates, tuition recommendations and reports from the university affairs and audit and finance committees.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(11/15/06 5:00am)
After spending his undergraduate years at Harvard University and taking out nearly $80,000 in student loans, Dimitri Sigounas was ready for a change of pace.
So the N.C. native took his Ivy League education and applied to a public institution for his graduate studies - UNC's School of Medicine.
Now a fourth-year student specializing in neurosurgery, Sigounas said the school's cost of tuition - ringing in at $9,802 a year for first and second year in-state students - heavily influenced his decision.
"Students come here saying we can get a good education, and we don't have to be in debt up to our ears," said Sigounas, who estimated that he takes out $5,000 a year in loans.
Officials at the medical school say they can deliver a combination of affordability and quality at least partly because they determine their school's tuition levels.
Professional schools at UNC such as the medical school can charge their students more - or less - than other graduate students. The schools also enjoy an exempt status that keeps them immune from campus-based increases.
Last year graduate students were hit with a $500 increase, but professional schools increases ranged from no raises at the School of Pharmacy to a $1,500 increase at the School of Dentistry.
But the schools' ability to do this could soon change.
When members of the tuition and fee advisory task force met this semester, they re-examined the principles behind exemptions.
Most task force members took a stance that allowing the professional schools to opt out of campus-based increases could set a dangerous precedent.
The group sent its recommendations to Chancellor James Moeser, who in turn is recommending to the Board of Trustees that the schools be stripped of their exempt status.
The trustees will hear a report about tuition policies during their meeting Thursday.
As of now, tuition increases come from within the professional schools, and all the revenue is returned solely to the school that levies the increase.
A change would mean that the professional schools would have to contribute part of their tuition revenue into a campus-based pot.
Student Body President James Allred, co-chairman of the task force and an ex-officio trustee, said a change would help promote an image of University unity.
He said he believes the trustees are willing to consider a switch and that the policy would aid the professional schools because they still would receive funds from the campus pot.
But the policy has met with hesitation from some and downright disapproval from others.
Trustees Karol Mason and John Ellison, both members of the task force, have said they want to see a continuation of the status quo.
Neither were available for comment. A vote on tuition policy is not expected until the board's January meeting.
Graduate and Professional Student Federation President Lauren Anderson said she can see both sides of the argument.
"I am desperately trying not to take a stance," she said, noting the complexity of measuring the financial impact of a possible change.
Cheryl McCartney, executive associate dean for medical education, said school officials meet internally to determine what the school's priorities are and where the money from tuition increases will go.
She said the loss of the school's exempt status would mean that officials either would have to
tack on tuition or cut programs. "Clearly our preference would be that we are not included."
Officials said faculty salaries, student aid and curriculum improvements all are considered priorities - as well as remaining affordable compared to peer institutions.
"We want to make sure that any increase we make doesn't put us at the upper echelon of our peers," said Robert Blouin, dean of the School of Pharmacy.
Sigounas said that while increases are never welcome, he'd like to see the schools retain their exempt status because it's easier for professional students to see exactly where the money they pay is going.
"We understand that," he said. "It's not something we're happy about, but we understand that."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(10/25/06 4:00am)
Two years ago James Allred was busy compiling the October Report for then-student body president Matt Calabria as part of his duties as student body secretary.
Tuesday the blue cover of the just- released 167-page document bore Allred's name, and the pages serve as the executive branch's evaluation of his accomplishments midway through his term as student body president.
"It's just been far less sleepless nights," Allred said, referring to the fact that putting together the report was Student Body Secretary Clay Schossow's responsibility this time around.
"In some ways, I'm much more proud since it's my administration this time around and my platform and my vision," he said.
Since taking office in early April, the Allred administration has sped through 47 platform planks out of 83 total, according to the 2006 October Report.
Allred said he expects an additional 23 planks to be completed in the near future.
Chief of Staff Christie Cunningham, who is responsible for coordinating the work of executive branch committees, said she attributes the progress largely to good research that went in when developing the platform.
"We didn't create new programs," she said. "We just wanted to fix student services and, most of all, improve them."
Allred's campaign platform included promises for tuition predictability, an increase in student advisers, more emergency blue light boxes off campus and improved campus parking for students.
The report is broken down into sections written by cabinet and committee members.
Platforms planks recognized include:
n?Tuition and student fees: Although this year's tuition and fee talks are far from complete, Allred has seen some progress in predictability.
A revamped student fee process, in the works before Allred took office, led to a recommended increases of $56.48 - a significantly lower increase than last year's raise of $170.05 for undergraduate students.
Tuition predictability has improved for in-state students now that UNC-system President Erskine Bowles' 6.5 percent tuition cap passed. Talk of a long-term plan also preceded Allred's tenure.
"We are on the brink of one of the best tuition and fee increases we've seen in years," Allred said.
n?Academic advising: Representatives from the administration worked with academic advisers to help select five new full-time advisers. Cunningham said the plank was intended to address an area that student government leaders thought could be improved - academic services.
n?Printing: Allred advocated for the installation of One Card readers at campus Information Technology Services computer labs. A limit of 500 pages per semester was set for fee-paying students.
Allred said priorities for the remainder of his term include identifying additional athletic space, improving campus safety and making sure that Campus Health Services follows through with a plan to install kiosks so student can give feedback of services.
Student Body Vice President Brian Phelps said he would like to see the external appointment system overhauled, which he said has caused headaches for administrators and student body vice presidents.
"Sometimes student representation falls through the cracks," he said.
And Cunningham said the administration doesn't intend to rest on its laurels in the coming months.
"When we ran on that platform, and we promised students all of it."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(10/23/06 4:00am)
The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education narrowly approved Thursday a high school assignment plan determining who will attend Carrboro High School when it opens next school year.
Board members decided with little discussion that rising seniors at Chapel Hill High School and East Chapel Hill High School, the two current district high schools, will remain at their established schools.
But determining the fate of rising juniors was a matter of contention, with affected students and parents, as well as some school board members, speaking out against the proposal.
By a vote of 4-3, the board decided that rising juniors who live in Carrboro High's assignment zone must attend the school this fall. Board members Jean Hamilton, Mike Kelley and Annetta Streater cast the dissenting votes.
"Kids that are halfway through their high school careers shouldn't be forced to give up something . in which they are deeply invested," said Bill Powell, the father of a rising junior who lives within Carrboro High lines.
A student representative from Chapel Hill High also presented board members with a 250-signature petition, asking the board to let rising juniors stay at their schools.
The district will consider transfer students on a case-by-case basis, and students with senior siblings will be allowed to attend school with their siblings.
Hamilton said she wanted rising juniors to have a choice. She said she worries the reassignment plan will create undue stress for students and break up established relationships.
"I think it's really important to think about students and what their needs are," Hamilton said.
Those who voted in favor of the policy said board members also must consider the immediate future of the new high school and the students who will attend it.
"I think in interest of the kids going to Carrboro High we need to make as large and viable a class as possible," school board member Pam Hemminger said.
Other members noted that officials cannot make proper plans for the new high school until they have an estimate of how many students will attend next year.
The district has hired Jeff Thomas as principal, but faculty and staff members still must be hired based on the school's need. Carrboro High's initial capacity is slated at about 800 students and eventually will hold about 1,200 students.
"I think we need to give the staff direction so they can begin to plan," board chairwoman Lisa Stuckey said.
Superintendent Neil Pedersen told the board the assignment plan needs to be finalized as quickly as possible so administrators can begin making hires by the start of the next calendar year.
"We need to start having some of those conversations," school board member Elizabeth Carter said.
Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(10/23/06 4:00am)
The tuition and fee advisory task force concluded its work Wednesday, but before members voted for their tuition increase preferences, one thing became clear: Members weren't in total agreement.
Those present did reach consensus for the most part, favoring three increase proposals.
The options ranged from hikes of $250 to $254 for resident undergraduates and $500 to $800 for nonresident undergraduates and graduate students.
But the opinions of two absent members also spoke loudly.
Two of the three proposals would strip the professional schools of their status as exempt from campus-based tuition increases - a move that UNC Board of Trustee members John Ellison and Karol Mason, who did not attend, have said they will not support.
As trustees and members of the task force, both will get a final say when the board votes on increases at its January meeting.
For the past two years, the professional schools have been free to levy their own tuition increases without paying into campuswide increases.
"I think that the committee spoke pretty loudly today," Student Body President James Allred said after Wednesday's meeting.
"I hope the trustees pay attention to that."
Those present mostly favored stripping the schools of their exempt status, claiming that it creates inherent inequalities between the schools and the rest of the University.
"I think this is very dangerous and even destabilizing," said task force member Lloyd Kramer, chairman of the Department of History. "By exempting these students, we are hitting the out-of-state students year after year."
But Ellison said professional schools base their tuition on market rates and weigh their increase decisions very carefully because their class yields depend on balancing tuition needs with affordability.
"When you choose a graduate school, you have to think really hard about what you want to do with the rest of your life," Ellison said before the task force's final meeting.
He said units such as the schools of medicine and law should not be punished for taking a risk with their prices.
Allred, an ex-officio member of the board, said at the moment he does not support the status quo.
"With everything I've seen at this point, I would not like to keep that exempt status," he said Sunday.
Allred said presenting trustees with proposals for both options will make the stakes evident.
His proposal to increase in-state undergraduate tuition by $250 and out-of-state undergraduate tuition and graduate tuition by $500 was the consensus
No. 1 choice of the members present. The choice would take away the professional schools' exempt status.
But the trustees could choose to disregard the task force's recommendations altogether.
When trustees last voted for tuition increases during their January meeting, they set aside the proposals and opted to increase tuition for resident undergraduates by $250, nonresident undergraduates by $1,100 and graduate students by $500.
The task force's final step is for Provost Bernadette Gray-Little and Allred to compile a report that documents the work completed by the group.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(10/18/06 4:00am)
Three tuition increase proposals gained favor Wednesday at the tuition and fee advisory task force's final meeting of the year.
But the absence of three members - including two representatives from the UNC Board of Trustees - means that talks will continue this week before the group's proposals are finalized.
The options ranged from increases of $250 to $254 for resident undergraduates. Recommendations ranged from $500 to $800 for nonresident undergraduates and graduate students.
Two of the proposals would drop the campus-based tuition exempt status of professional schools. For the past two years, the schools have been free to levy their own tuition increases without paying into campuswide increases.
"I think that the committee spoke pretty loudly today," Student Body President James Allred said after the meeting.
"I hope the trustees pay attention to that."
Those present mostly favored stripping the schools of their exempt status, claiming that it creates inherent inequalities between the schools and the rest of the University.
"I think this is very dangerous and even destabilizing," said task force member Lloyd Kramer, chairman of the department of history. "By exempting these students we are hitting the out-of-state students year after year."
But John Ellison and Karol Mason, the trustees who are members of the task force, have said they will not support a change in the status of the professional schools.
Provost Bernadette Gray-Little, co-chairwoman of the task force, said she will get in contact with the absent members as soon as possible before finalizing the recommendations.
Allred, who also is co-chairman of the task force, said presenting trustees with proposals for both options will make the stakes evident.
"I think that paints the picture clearly," he said.
At the beginning of the meeting, task force members were faced with eight increase proposals - including four from Allred, all of which included campus-based tuition increases for all students.
Allred said he wanted to give the task force more options.
His proposal that would increase in-state undergraduate tuition by $250 and out-of-state undergraduate tuition and graduate tuition by $500 was the consensus No. 1 choice of the members present.
Debate throughout the meeting was the liveliest so far, with members jockeying to make their stances on tuition known.
Faculty member representatives Kramer and Evelyne Huber, chairwoman of the department of political science, weighed in that out-of state students shouldn't be forgotten in the process.
"Everyone who's ever taught a class knows how hard the out-of-state students work," Huber said.
However, the board could choose to disregard the task force's recommendations altogether.
When trustees voted for tuition increases during their January meeting, they set aside the proposals and opted to increase tuition for resident undergraduates by $250, nonresident undergraduates by $1,100 and graduate students by $500.
The board will review this year's recommendations at its November meeting and vote in January.
The task force's final step is for Gray-Little and Allred to compile a report that conveys the workings of the group.
"We just want to reflect the opinions of the committee," Allred said.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(10/16/06 4:00am)
Student Body President James Allred issued the first veto of his administration Friday, refusing to sign Student Congress legislation dealing with basketball ticket distribution methods.
The bill would prohibit the Department of Athletics from setting aside tickets for certain student organizations and also states that student input must be sought before making changes to ticket distribution.
Speaker of Congress Luke Farley said the bill intends to limit tickets given to groups such as student government, the Carolina Athletic Association and Graduate and Professional Student Federation.
But Allred said Congress overstepped its bounds and failed to take into account groups such as athletic team members, the marching band and handicapped students.
"This might not be an exhaustive list," said Chief of Staff Christie Cunningham, of the groups adversely affected by the bill.
He said the bill deals with the Athletics Department, which Congress does not oversee.
"Student Congress does not have the authority to write this into the Student Code and to require the president of the CAA to execute it," Allred said while reading Friday a statement regarding his decision.
The veto was the first since 2004-05 Student Body President Matt Calabria vetoed a bill that attempted to define negative campaigning.
Farley said the bill is not directed at the additional groups Allred cited.
"Our intent with the bill is to prevent student government leaders from getting tickets other than through the normal process," Farley said. "I think he misunderstood where we're coming from."
Congress members will get a chance to override the veto at the Oct. 24 full Congress meeting.
A two-thirds vote is needed to pass the bill, and according to procedure, the vote will take place without additional discussion by Congress.
The bill was unanimously passed at the body's Sept. 26 meeting.
Farley said he still supports the legislation.
"I would hope that the Congress would override the legislation."
Farley added that amendments to the legislation could be made later depending on any problems.
The veto comes on the heels of increased tensions between the executive and legislative branches of student government.
A false version of the Student Code, including the ticket distribution bill, had been posted on Student Congress' Web site for almost two weeks after miscommunication between the branches.
Farley said Allred told him about the veto decision Thursday but said he would have liked more feedback.
"There was no constructive criticism in the veto message."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(10/11/06 4:00am)
During the months of scrutiny that go into tuition-increase talks, only one person can claim ownership of the process from start to finish: Student Body President James Allred.
As student government's executive branch leader, Allred wears many hats - he's served as co-chairman of the tuition and fee advisory task force and the student fee advisory subcommittee and is an ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees.
Allred said the titles also come with a need to balance his duties as a student advocate and a University official during tuition discussions.
"My campaign talked significantly about . making that individual day-to-day difference in students' lives," he said. "What makes more of a difference than how much we're charging for them to go here?"
Allred said the work that he puts in before the board's January vote presents the real challenge, noting that a vote against the trustees' final proposal would represent that his discussions were not as effective as hoped.
"The real point here is that the vote on the (board) is only the last step in a very long process of trying to evolve a fair tuition policy for students," Allred said.
"I think if I vote no it will represent, not a failure, but a disappointment to me."
The tuition and student fee increase discussions began in early September, and Allred has been there every step of the way - offering suggestions and soliciting input.
At 7 p.m. tonight students will have the chance to give student government leaders their say about proposed increases during an open forum in Murphey 116.
Allred and Student Body Vice President Brian Phelps said they hope to explain possible tuition increases at the forum, as well as gather student feedback.
Trustee John Ellison, a member of the tuition and fee advisory task force, said Allred, along with task force members Phelps and Graduate and Professional Student Federation President Lauren Anderson, are a valuable resource.
"They give the tuition task force great feedback on the problems we're creating," Ellison said.
Last year the tuition advisory group recommended several options to the Board of Trustees.
Ultimately, out-of-state undergraduates' tuition was increased by $1,100. In-state undergraduates saw a raise of $250 and graduate students a hike of $500 - moves supported by former Student Body President Seth Dearmin.
Former Provost Robert Shelton, now the president of the University Arizona and previous chairman of the tuition task force, said a good student body president will establish connections with trustees and have a sense of the large-scale issues facing UNC.
"They have to be strong communicators," Shelton said.
"They have to be clear and crisp on whatever message they're trying to deliver."
Current Provost Bernadette Gray-Little, who serves as co-chairwoman of the tuition and fee task force, said Allred is doing a solid job of serving student interests.
"I think he is someone who tries to keep a diverse group of students in mind," Gray-Little said.
"He is very thoughtful. He's sharp with ideas."
The task force is set to meet one more time Oct. 18. Task force members, composed of administrators, faculty, staff and students, will have to vote on their final recommendations then.
Resident undergraduate tuition increases will be capped at 6.5 percent - as mandated by UNC-system President Erskine Bowles.
During its meeting last week, the group considered proposals that would halt undergraduate resident tuition increases at $254. Proposed increases for nonresident undergraduates ranged from $600 to $800.
Additional options could be explored at the final meeting.
"I would like the students to understand that we care a great deal about any increased financial burden we place on them," Ellison said. "We understand that it's a very painful process.
"It is a trade-off with no absolute right."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(09/29/06 4:00am)
The UNC Board of Trustees met Thursday, covering a slew of topics that ranged from the University's freshman class to plans to update the campus' technical infrastructure.
No items of controversy were up for approval from the campus' governing body, but the two-day meeting still saw lively discussion.
It's a far cry from what the board will be briefed about in November, when the recommendations of the tuition and fee advisory task force are slated to be presented as well as a comprehensive plan about graduation rates.
Chancellor James Moeser addressed the board Thursday, specifically mentioning a trip made this week to Madison, Wis., by University and community leaders.
"I think it was a beneficial meeting," Moeser said.
He said neighborhood committees that are appointed by Madison's mayor and the University of Wisconsin's chancellor are a model UNC could follow.
The committees discuss potential changes to proposals such as construction projects early in the planning process to help avoid conflict.
Steve Farmer, director of undergraduate admissions, also presented a detailed report about the class of 2010.
UNC boasted its lowest admission rate in 18 years - accepting only 34.1 percent of all applicants.
"We really strive to serve both the good and the great here," Farmer said, referring to the theme of Moeser's State of the University address.
The only statistical category that UNC saw a drop in this year was SAT scores - from an average of 1299 in 2005 to 1293.
The most heated discussion of the meetings occurred Wednesday night when the board debated the proposed Genomic Science Building.
The building is slated to be built on the Bell Tower parking lot and has been billed as a gateway between science programs such as biology and health affairs.
Trustee Rusty Carter was particularly vocal about his concerns.
"That area around the Bell Tower is getting encapsulated, and that concerns me," he said.
During both sessions of the full board, members voiced concerns about the parking situation around the area.
About 300 spots will be lost once construction on the science building begins. A parking deck is set to be built in the area, which would help alleviate the crunch.
But unstable funding raised questions Thursday about the desirability of going along with plans for the science building without the parking deck.
The board also heard a report from Dan Reed, vice chancellor for information technology, about plans to replace the campus' technology infrastructure.
The plan would replace student information systems, as well as human resources components such as payroll services.
Low estimates range from about $40 million to $50 million, and high estimates put the figure at about $200 million. Funding still must be secured.
"The project is going to cost a lot of money," said David Perry, interim vice chancellor for finance and administration. "There's no getting around that."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(09/28/06 4:00am)
The UNC Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Mike Smith to the newly created position of vice chancellor for engagement at its Wednesday meeting.
Smith, dean of the School of Government since 2001, will assume the position Nov. 1.
He will serve as a University advocate for greater engagement in North Carolina.
"For me, we're a public university, and we have a great obligation that comes from being public," Smith said.
Chancellor James Moeser said he has been considering the position for a few months. Smith said he was approached several weeks ago about the job.
"I think we need the position to lead us to be more effective and more intensive," Moeser said.
He said Smith is particularly well-suited for the job because the School of Government is involved in many engagement efforts.
"It is in many ways . our extension service," Moeser said.
Smith, a 1978 graduate of the UNC School of Law, said a challenge of his position is to help identify areas of need in the state and coordinate current efforts.
"It's mostly about helping people understand what some of the priorities are," he said.
Before he takes on the role, Smith said he plans to engage in conversations with other University leaders.
"There's already stuff going on, and I don't want folks to think that I don't recognize that," he said.
Smith said he will take a look at "what the gaps are between what the needs are and what Carolina is already doing that helps to fill these gaps."
He will retain his position at the School of Government and said balancing the jobs will be a challenge but one that is manageable.
"There is some amount of overlap that makes it possible."
The appointment comes just before the completion of the final report of the Chancellor's Task Force on Engagement.
The task force has been examining steps UNC can take to serve the state in K-12 education, health care and economic development.
Moeser said that Smith's appointment was not directly related to the task force but helped make the timing appropriate.
The majority of the board's full meeting, its first of the academic year, was devoted to reviewing plans for the Genomic Science Building, which will be located in the current Bell Tower parking lot.
Members debated the look of the proposed building and its function as a link between North and South campus.
The board will convene again at 8 a.m. today in the Carolina Inn's Chancellor's Ballroom East and West to review the reports of the audit and finance committee and the university affairs committee. It also will receive its annual update about undergraduate admissions and scholarships and student aid.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(09/25/06 4:00am)
Schools within the University that in the past were exempt from campus-based tuition increases might not be so lucky this year if discussions of the tuition and fee advisory task force pan out.
The exemption issue dominated discussions Friday during the task force's third meeting. Funding models for potential increases also were considered.
Academic units such as the UNC School of Law and the Kenan-Flagler Business School had been immune during the past several years from campus-based increases.
For example, if business school officials determined that tuition would increase by $500 for nonresident students, the full amount would go to the business school.
A change would mean that if the campus-based tuition increase for nonresident students was $500, business school students first would pay that. If school officials wanted more revenue, they would have to levy their own increases on top of the $500.
If approved, the result likely would be lower tuition increases across the board, Student Body President James Allred said.
"The feeling of the task force is that everyone should be paying the same rate," Allred said. "It doesn't make sense to charge people more for different majors."
Allred noted that money brought in for task force priorities such as increasing faculty salaries and creating faculty positions is distributed across campus.
"It's unfair to put the brunt on undergraduate students," he said.
"When they raised their tuition rates it was just staying within that school."
Lauren Anderson, Graduate and Professional Student Federation president, said it's important to ensure that a change doesn't encourage the schools to increase tuition even more.
"What we're trying to avoid is them just tacking on campus-based tuition increases to their tuition," she said.
Additional information about the use of tuition within the schools will be sought before the task force's next meeting.
Of the money brought in by tuition increases, 35 percent goes to fund student aid. Traditionally 5 percent also went to tuition remission for the graduate school.
But the Office of the Provost set aside a permanent fund for the 5 percent - freeing up more money to finance priorities such as faculty and teaching assistant salaries.
The task force will aim to increase faculty salaries by 3 percent this year and raise teaching assistant salaries by $500.
Tuition options examined Friday ranged from increasing undergraduate resident tuition by $175 on the low end to $276.
Nonresident undergraduate proposals ranged from a $175 increase to $1,950.
Nothing is finalized, and officials are waiting for guidelines from the UNC system.
Most of the funding models examined would leave between $5 million and $7 million to be distributed after student aid.
"There were only a couple of scenarios that would really hurt your pocket or your heart if they passed," Anderson said.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(09/25/06 4:00am)
A canceled contract between the University and a construction contracting company has left officials searching for funds to pay off its debt.
The State Construction Office determined this spring that UNC owed $1.4 million to J.M. Thompson Company - prompting officials to request additional student fees to help finance a portion of the payment.
The company was hired in June 2000 to complete three phases of construction on the Student Union.
(09/15/06 4:00am)
The tuition and fee advisory task force inched closer to discussing specific proposals at its second meeting Thursday.
The group reviewed further background and began to set priorities.
Recommendations won't be hammered out until the group's final meeting Oct. 18, but main talking points already are beginning to take shape.
Discussion Thursday centered on UNC's academic quality and standing in face of tough competition for new students from peer institutions.
A particular concern was recruiting high-quality students in the face of rising tuition.
"The single most important thing for me is that we don't, by raising tuition, hurt the yield for the high-achieving students," said John Ellison, a Board of Trustees and task force member.
During the meeting participants were presented with a win-loss analysis of colleges with the greatest number of cross-admissions with UNC.
For example when it came to N.C. residents who were accepted into both the University of Virginia and UNC, 64 students chose to attend UNC while 43 chose UVa.
But when it came to nonresident students, 107 students chose to attend UNC and 128 selected UVa.
Arch-rival Duke University bested UNC when it came to both in-state and out-of-state students.
The main reason students cited for choosing either Duke or UVa. instead of UNC was that the schools had better academic reputations.
Student Body President James Allred said he expects these statistics to help shape future discussions.
"I think we're going to frame much of this debate on academic reputation and academic standing," Allred said.
Officials have justified past tuition hikes by citing a need to raise faculty and teaching assistant salaries.
Resident tuition increases likely will be capped at 6.5 percent this year - or about $225.
After last year's increases in-state students doled out an extra $250 and out-of-state students paid $1,100 more.
But nonresident hikes still are fair game.
Student Body Vice President Brian Phelps said the task force should be wary of relying on nonresidents to shoulder the burden of hikes.
"I just want to caution the task force," he said.
The first concrete numbers of this year's tuition debate are set to be discussed next week.
"I think we now have all the background," said Provost Bernadette Gray-Little, co-chairwoman of the task force.
She said the group now must focus on the nuts and bolts of the talks.
"We need to look at what will it take to get us there, how long will it take and how will we get there."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(09/14/06 4:00am)
Student Congress passed a resolution Tuesday night condemning the new online ticket policy, specifically criticizing a lack of student input regarding the policy change.
(09/13/06 4:00am)
When the University of Michigan appeared before the U.S. Supreme Court in defense of its affirmative action policies in 2003, Marvin Krislov was at the center of the controversy.
As vice president and general counsel at the university, he led the school's legal defense of its admission policies.
Addressing more than 150 people, Krislov was just one of many prominent higher education leaders who gathered Tuesday to discuss affordability and access to the college education process.
"This truly was a national fight," he said of the school's court cases. "I also want to tell you that if you think it won't come to your campus, think again."
Krislov's speech came as part of a panel discussion on the challenges that threaten college access and inclusion. The discussion was part of a four-day conference hosted by UNC that concludes today.
Faculty and administrators from universities across the country have gathered at UNC this week to talk about issues facing higher education policy.
Krislov and two other panelists discussed the need for colleges to accommodate a variety of students at an affordable price.
"The most important thing to realize is that the Supreme Court still recognizes the value of diversity for the work force," he said.
Former N.C. Gov. Jim Hunt, a member of the panel, spoke about the need to expand in-state tuition to children of illegal immigrants.
"It's the right thing to do," Hunt said. "We need an educated, highly skilled, creative work force that can help us compete in the global economy."
The panel also discussed the desirability of structuring financial aid programs to support diversity.
Krislov said he advises universities to take race and gender into account without using specific quotas.
Numerous officials have praised UNC for its financial aid efforts - noting the University's groundbreaking Carolina Covenant program, which provides low-income students full financial support.
Other schools such as Harvard and Stanford universities and the University of Virginia have established similar programs since UNC announced the Carolina Covenant in 2003.
UNC's program does not take race into account when determining those qualified for the funds.
Panelist Charles Clotfelter, a professor of public policy, economics and law at Duke University, spoke about the squeeze on families in the middle class as college tuition continues to skyrocket.
"The cost of college is high and has been increasing," he said.
Since 1980, average tuition at public universities has risen at a pace of 4 percent a year. He said the average debt is about $10,600 for graduates of public institutions.
A median family income is considered to be $56,000. Many families run into financial troubles because they fail to save properly, Clotfelter said.
He said one-third of graduates leave with loan burdens that are larger than anticipated.
While Clotfelter noted that low-income families have an even more difficult time, he said the middle class crunch is credible.
"It's real, and it hurts."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(09/12/06 4:00am)
Seniors won't vote on a class gift this year, instead they'll pick a favorite cause.
The class of 2007 will be able to endorse one of three options: donations to the Carolina Covenant, funds for the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs or contributions to the Carolina Center for Public Service.
Students can donate to the endorsed option but also are encouraged to give money to a favorite area of campus life.
The senior marshals whittled down the choices this weekend after their retreat. Officials said they hope to have an online election to decide the endorsed gift before November's Homecoming elections.
"I think that the main focus of it is that the tradition of class gift is being expanded from the idea of one physical class gift to any area of campus that you feel passionate about," said Meg Petersen, senior class president.
Past senior classes chose from a slate of physical gifts that would represent the graduating members. Last year's class chose a welcome sign and the previous class picked a Sept. 11 memorial garden.
The only physical mark the class of 2007 will leave is a commemorative stone or plaque that will be built into the bricks by the Bell Tower.
The plaque will include how much money the class raised, participation percentages and probably what funding option the class endorses.
Officials say the campaign - which is dubbed "Love your legacy" - will help encourage students to give more consistently.
A physical class gift has caused some graduating seniors to donate only once. Officials hope to encourage students to give on a more consistent basis after they leave UNC.
Contributions to the class gift have faltered recently. Of the class of 2006, 9.61 percent contributed to the welcome sign.
The highest participation rate recently was in 2003 when 21.25 percent of the class gave to the Undergraduate Library endowment.
Other universities already put the new model to good use, noted Rebecca Bramlett, assistant director of annual giving.
She said the University of California-Berkeley has seen class participation near the 30 percent range during the past few years using a similar system.
Duke University was at 69 percent in 2005, Bramlett said. "People are more inclined to give to something that they care about."
Petersen said she hopes to see a 25 percent participation rate and emphasized that any donation size is welcome.
She said the senior class officers and senior marshals will help spread the word about the change by sending e-mails and distributing brochures at the senior class cabanas.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(09/11/06 4:00am)
UNC's campus isn't the only part of the University that's set to grow in the coming years.
If things go according to plan, thousands of new students will help fill the buildings that are rising rapidly across UNC's main campus.
The Enrollment Policy Advisory Committee met Friday for the first time this year, outlining their goals and main topics of concern.
"We want to consider carefully the full implications of what it means to grow, said Steve Allred, executive associate provost and chairman of the committee.
The current growth plan would expand enrollment to 29,447 students by fall 2015. Two other hypothetical situations were studied. One calls for expansion to 30,000 students and the other to 35,000 students.
"Thirty thousand would be strenuous; 35,000 would be catastrophic," said Student Body President James Allred.
The Board of Trustees have been presented with the information but have not taken an official stance.
"I actually feel pretty good about where we are," Steve Allred told committee members.
Committee members raised concerns about how enrollment growth will affect the University's ability to recruit top-notch students.
Steve Farmer, director of undergraduate admissions, presented the committee with demographics of the freshman class and discussed results of a survey of UNC applicants.
"The better students were affected disproportionately with concerns about size," he said.
James Allred said one point he wants to emphasize to trustees is the effect growth can have on top students.
He said it's important to drive home the point about how difficult it is to attract the nation's elite high school students.
"They're not turning us down for schools that are bigger than Chapel Hill," Farmer said.
Officials have encouraged the UNC system as a whole to expand enrollment. Farmer said it's important for the state's flagship university to commit to increases and not to appear elitist.
But there still are serious considerations for officials to take into account - such as where students would sleep and study.
This year UNC has excess campus beds, but classroom crunches continue to present problems.
Steve Allred said it's also important for the group to consider the graduate and professional schools during the process - UNC's School of Medicine and School of Law are among those with expansion plans.
The advisory group also reviews policies such as retention rates. It previously was led by Jerry Lucido, former vice provost for enrollment policy and management.
The group serves in a purely advisory role and reports to Chancellor James Moeser and trustees.
Contact the University Desk at udesk@unc.edu.
(08/31/06 4:00am)
UNC's reign at the top officially is over.
After filling the No. 1 spot for royalties collected from collegiate merchandisers for five straight years, the Tar Heels were knocked off by the University of Texas-Austin.
UNC now ranks No. 5.
The list, compiled by the Collegiate Licensing Co., consists of about 200 universities that the company represents. The Longhorns were propelled to the top this year by a national football title.
The University of Michigan placed second, followed by the universities of Notre Dame and Georgia.
"It's easily explainable where those schools came from," said Derek Lochbaum, UNC's director of trademarks and licensing. "I think you expect to see a cooling-off period the year after a national championship," he said, referring to UNC's 2005 national basketball championship.
Net income earned from trademark licensing goes to support scholarships. Lochbaum said about $3.64 million will be distributed for scholarships from this year's earnings - up from $2.97 million during the past fiscal year.
He said 75 percent of royalties come from apparel sales, with the rest coming from nonapparel items such as coffee mugs.
Lochbaum said a report will be issued in late September that will more completely detail licensing revenue generated this fiscal year.
UNC's most popular products are hats, followed by T-shirts and fleeces, he said. The largest areas of growth have been in women's and youth apparel.
Schools that are independent or that use other licensing companies, such as Ohio State University, are not included in the rankings.
Derek Hughes, communications coordinator for the company, said schools typically don't fluctuate much from year to year and couldn't explain UNC's four-spot drop.
"You're not going to get too much movement within the schools," Hughes said. "Some of the movement may have to do with the performance side."
He said a fashion element also comes into play when evaluating a school's sales. "The Carolina blue has been a popular color."
John Jones, director of Student Stores, said the items with the University's logo are well-liked by customers. The store is prohibited from selling apparel that does not contain UNC's logo.
Jones said all sales, including those of logo merchandise, have been down at the store since renovations began last year. He estimated earlier this month a 10-percent decline in revenue this year due to the construction.
He said revenues generated from clothing and gifts typically range from $3 million to $3.5 million.
The store has received largely positive comments since relocating apparel to the new lower level, he added. "We're considering whether to leave it there or not."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.