System seeks cash for enrollment

As the UNC system continues to pursue an ambitious plan for increasing enrollment, the system's governing body hopes to persuade the N.C. General Assembly to automatically set aside funding for future enrollment growth.

The system has added more than 6,000 students in each of the last four years, bringing the systemwide population to a record 189,615 this year. That trend is expected to continue in years ahead.

UNC-system Board of Governors Chairman Brad Wilson told board members Friday to focus on lobbying state legislators to move UNC's enrollment growth funding from the state's expansion budget to its continuation budget.

Such a move would automatically incorporate enrollment growth into the state's budget in the same way public school growth currently is included.

"I think the time has come for this change to be made," said board member Jim Phillips, chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee.

"Treat us the same way you treat the public schools. Don't make us come in and fight for money just to educate the new kids that come to our schools. Make that a given."

As it stands, the funding necessary to support the increasing student population is proposed in the system's regular budget request, which the legislature considers to be new or expanded spending.

During the last two years, the legislature has agreed to fully fund enrollment growth, but that has not always been the case. Board members want to make it more likely that the state will cover the costs of new enrollment, even in years when the budget is lean.

In the past, tuition increases have been used to fund growth when state finances were tight, and board members hope to avoid that situation in the future.

"I think it's good public policy and good politics," Wilson said. "It would take that fight off of their plate each year. It puts it in a better position."

While state legislators say funding the UNC system is an important investment, board members likely face an uphill battle.

"The first thing we do is try to fund the expansion growth," said Rep. Douglas Yongue, D-Scotland, a chairman of the appropriations subcommittee on education. "That's a top priority, but it's a matter of availability of funds."

Rep. Wilma Sherrill, R-Buncombe, a chairwoman of the House appropriations committee, said there was no reason to put enrollment growth in a separate budget category from other university funding requests.

"The reason they're asking for this is because they don't want to have to come to the legislature every year asking for enrollment growth money," she said. "But they have to come to the legislature anyway for their other requests."

UNC Chancellor James Moeser said legislators' attitude toward any change would depend heavily on this year's budget outlook.

"I think that's going to be tough. They've got some big issues to sort through. It's a perfectly justifiable request, but I think it's going to be difficult."

Contact the State & National Editor at stntdesk@unc.edu.