news-record.com

GREENSBORO - The UNC Board of Governors voted on tuition and fee increases this morning, approving increases that were less than 1/3 of what its campuses requested.

The rates, which still have to be approved by the legislature, would increase in-state undergraduate tuition and fees at the system's 16 campus by 3.9 percent.

UNCG's tuition and fees will go up 3.32 percent on average, with increases from as little as $83 for in-state undergraduates to $354 for out-of-state graduate students.

The school planned to ask for a 6.5 percent increase but reduced it to 5 percent after UNC President Erskine Bowles urged that tuition increases be kept as low as possible to keep tuition in-reach as the country weathers tough economic times.

The economic downturn has led state budget officials to warn the
university system their budget could be cut up to 7 percent this year.

"Fifty-five percent of the increase will be going to financial aid, to help our students in a truly tough economy," said Alan Boyette, vice provost at UNCG. "The other 45 percent is going to go to protecting our most important asset, our faculty. We're trying to fend off some competitive recruiting from other institutions."

Boyette said the amount being allocated to financial aid is unprecedented but the school anticipates an unprecedented number of requests for financial aid.

"We don't have a crystal ball to tell us just how bad this economy is going to get," Boyette said. "Right now all we can do is plan for the needs of our students."

N.C. A&T did not ask for an increase in tuition but will increase its fees by $88.

At UNC-Chapel Hill undergraduates will see an increase of 4.4 percent, bringing in-state undergraduate tuition and fees to $5,456.16 next year. Out-of-state undergraduates will see an increase of 5.5 percent, bringing tuition to $23,344.16 next year.

At N.C. State University undergraduates will see an increase of 4.9 percent, bringing in-state undergraduate tuition and fees to $5,396 next year. Out-of-state undergraduates will see an increase of 2.5 percent, bringing tuition to $17,881 next year.