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University of North Carolina system students who are lucky enough to have summer jobs better start working overtime because they have bigger bills to pay. Much bigger.

Tuition and fees on all campuses are bounding upward by alarming rates — including 20 percent for in-state, undergraduate students at N.C. A&T and 17 percent at UNCG.

Blame the legislature, which cut $70 million from the system’s budget. In turn, individual campuses have taken a share of the hit and were authorized by the Board of Governors to pass the pain to students. The chancellors defended their response:

“While I am extremely concerned about the additional burden this puts on students and their families,” UNCG’s Linda Brady wrote to her campus community, “we must protect the quality of UNCG’s academic programs and our ability to provide students with the classes and support they need to graduate.”

“We understand that this is not an ideal situation for students or parents,” A&T’s Harold Martin said. “These necessary adjustments are needed to protect the academic core of this great university.”

Additionally, more than 20 percent of the revenue gained must be funneled to need-based financial aid — an amount that still may not relieve every student whose budget could break over higher costs.

Also straining under the weight of state budget cuts is North Carolina’s constitutional promise to extend the benefits of higher education, as much as “practicable” to the people free of expense. The legislature has found it less practicable to do so every year. Yet, taxpayers can argue that they’re carrying a heavy load, too.

UNC students still get a good deal. UNCG tuition and fees for in-state, undergraduate students will increase to $4,925 during the 2010-11 academic year. At A&T, the cost will be $4,320.

Compare those amounts to about $8,800 for in-state undergraduates at Virginia Commonwealth University and $8,900 for students at S.C. State.

“Even with this increase, UNCG’s tuition remains well below our national peers,” Brady noted. The same holds for all 16 UNC institutions.

Yet, the trend is worrisome. The state may face a much larger budget deficit next year, which could prompt bigger cuts to the universities and potentially even greater tuition hikes.

The campuses themselves have work to do: improving operational efficiencies; keeping more students on track to graduate on time; perhaps even asking faculty members to take on heavier teaching loads. They’re doing those things but must do more. Some have been adding so many new buildings that maintenance costs are stealing from other responsibilities. What’s more important, utilities or teaching?

The only constitutional imperative, however, refers to the legislature’s duty to keep tuition low for state residents. The legislature is faltering and needs to work overtime to do a better job for the people it serves.