Confusion at NCCU over student fee increases

N.C. Central University students waited in line with a penny in hand on Monday, thinking they needed to pay one cent to make sure their university bills were paid on time.

The university increased the student activity fees by a penny after many had already paid their dues, leading to confusion on campus about when they’d have to pay.

A letter sent by administrators in September informed students of the one-cent increase. But a rumor quickly spread that students would have to pay a $25 penalty for failing to pay the additional penny soon.

The letter informed students that the estimated student activity fee, originally $104.02, was going to be increased by one cent after the university received approval from the Board of Governors on Aug. 26.

The last day for payment was July 31, so students who paid their bills on time still owed a penny.

“We sent the students a letter informing them that the student activity fee was off by one cent. The students assumed that they would have to pay a $25 fee for an unpaid balance,” said Cynthia Fobert, information and communications specialist at NCCU.

Students who lined up to pay their pennies were turned away and told that it wasn’t necessary, Fobert said.

In an attempt to clear up the confusion, Alan Robertson, vice chancellor of administration and finance at NCCU, wrote a letter of apology assuring students that the one-penny fee adjustment would be removed immediately.

“There will be no fees or late adjustments associated with this adjustment. The administration takes great pride in maintaining a reputation for excellence, and you should never be troubled with such insignificant adjustments,” he said in the letter.

Brian Kennedy, a member of the student government association, said there was some confusion, but the university responded quickly.

“If it were true that we were really going to charge them for this unpaid balance of a penny then it would be a legitimate reason for protesting. As it is, this is actually not true,” Fobert said.


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