Chase Foster

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State Officials Say Alternative Funding Program Not Feasible

By Chase Foster | March 25

Officials from Gov. Mike Easley's office say alternative plans proposed by the N.C. Metropolitan Coalition to preserve funding for the state's cities and counties are not feasible. The coalition proposed a list last week of options including transferring funds from the national tobacco settlement, borrowing money from the remaining Hurricane Floyd relief funds and taking money away from the Highway Trust Fund.

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Bill Could Deter Colorado Campus Riots

By Chase Foster | March 18

Students convicted of rioting in the state of Colorado might see an increase in tuition and a loss of financial aid if a bill in the Colorado General Assembly becomes law. The bill would ban students convicted of rioting from receiving financial aid and in-state tuition rates for a period of 12 months. Admission to college could also be denied to students with prior riot convictions. Colorado Rep. Don Lee, a Republican who proposed the bill, said it is being considered because of an increased rioting problem on campuses in the Colorado University system.

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N.C. Education Funding Up $143 Million

By Chase Foster | March 6

North Carolina will receive an increase of $143 million in federal funding for education from the previous year as part of the No Child Left Behind Act, an education bill passed by President Bush in January. Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., completed a study that outlines the projected funding for the state, breaking down the $1 billion in total funding by specific programs and school districts.

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New Plan May Start For Tuition

By Chase Foster | February 22

Recent proposals at UNC-Chapel Hill and N.C. State University would give students the opportunity to pay tuition in monthly installments. UNC-CH and N.C. State are the only schools in the UNC system that do not have monthly installment plans. Some concrete details are still being discussed, but the proposal on the table at UNC-CH would allow students to divide their yearly tuition bill into payments over the course of five, 10 or 12 months. The plan would be available for the fall 2002 semester, and payments could start as early as June 1 for students choosing the 12-month plan.

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Fla. May Deny Aid Based on Country

By Chase Foster | February 12

Florida officials are considering linking financial aid to a student's country of origin, adding a new element to the changes caused by Sept. 11. A bill is being considered in the state legislature that would ban all financial aid to students from "terrorist" countries. This would mean the 450 students from Cuba, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, North Korea, Syria and Lybia studying in Florida would lose their benefits from the state.

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Survey: N.C. Residents Misjudge College Costs

By Chase Foster | February 8

N.C. residents are overestimating the total costs of public higher education in the state by almost 80 percent, according to a survey released Wednesday by the American Council on Education. The study found that North Carolinians estimate total the cost of attendace at the state's public universities at $17,604, almost $8,000 more than the actual statewide average cost of $9,777. Public misconceptions about tuition at the state's public universities are even more drastic.

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Inmates Appeal Under New Law

By Chase Foster | February 6

Almost one-fifth of N.C. death row inmates are taking advantage of an opportunity to lessen their sentence by asking courts to review their claims of being mentally retarded. A total of 40 inmates have filed retroactive motions to receive reduced sentences under the mental retardation exemption bill passed by the N.C. General Assembly last summer.

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Blue Secures Teacher Endorsement For U.S. Senate Campaign

By Chase Foster | February 5

Rep. Dan Blue, D-Wake, received a boost to his campaign for U.S. Senate on Monday when a committee from the N.C. Association of Educators endorsed his candidacy. The 73,000-member NCAE is the first major group to offer its endorsement in the 2002 Senate campaign. Blue was chosen by the NCAE political committee from among the eight candidates vying to fill the seat that will be left open after Sen. Jesse Helm, R-N.C., retires this year.

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Living Alone Pits Privacy vs. Companionship

By Chase Foster | February 5

For many college students, privacy can become a much needed commodity. After a day filled with stressful classes, cumbersome commitments and constant socialization, many students can find privacy elusive, even in their own residences. Certainly most students can identify with the need for personal space and privacy. But for students who live by themselves, there are no roommate conflicts -- no arguments over sleep schedules, fights about cleanliness or disputes over unwanted guests.

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Lottery in S.C. Could Affect N.C.

By Chase Foster | January 16

About 10 days after the creation of an S.C. lottery, public policy experts continue to project that the measure will negatively impact North Carolina's economy but will fuel support for an N.C. lottery. Economists predict that the new lottery will funnel millions of dollars into South Carolina annually from N.C. residents who buy lottery tickets.