Tuition increase of $300 likely for next year

By Kelly L. Griffith
News Editor

The UNCP Board of Trustees voted on Dec. 5 to send a $300 tuition increase recommendation to the North Carolina Board of Governors, along with the other 15 UNC campuses throughout the state.

The increase would go into effect for the 2004-05 academic year followed by another $300 tuition raise for 2005-06. The 8-2 vote to recommend the increase sent the proposal to the Board of Governors, who will make a decision in March after postponing a meeting on Feb. 13. The proposal will then be sent to a committee of the General Assembly on May 10 for a final judgment.

Students currently pay $2,490 and Chancellor Allen Meadors said the 12 percent increase would stay on campus, according to a press release.

“We’ve lost $6 million to state cuts, and campus-based tuition increases stay at the university, unlike the last tuition increase, which went to the state,” Meadors said.

However, students have expressed disappointment about an increase. Many students think a raise in tuition would bring more negative effects than positive.

The Student Government Association (SGA) helped the student body voice its opinion with “The Personal Stories Project,” a book of true stories from students and parents concerned about the increase.

Students prepared to travel to the Board of Governors meeting in Raleigh two weeks ago; however, the postponement ended the plans. The SGA hopes to rally more participants to go in March.

“We want to have some type of interest meeting for the people that would like to go on the trip in March,” SGA Vice President Alphonza Thomas said.

Once the Board of Governors decides on a meeting date, the SGA will hold a rally on the Wednesday before the Friday conference to encourage students to support the efforts against the increase. SGA plans to have local legislators and press attend the rally to answer students’ questions about the tuition increase.

Gov. Mike Easley said he would like to find alternatives to a tuition increase. In a letter to the Board of Governors, Easley said he would find the money in his budget so that any increases would be minimal.

UNCP student fees will also be raised by $35 to accommodate the athletic department, various student activities and technology. The Board of Governors may also decide to add a 2 percent increase to the tuition of all UNC campuses.