TO THE EDITOR:
In response to Mr. Sherry’s letter regarding the budget, we feel a responsibility to discuss the scope of the problem. We are in one of the most trying periods in UNC’s history, with a $20 million budget shortfall and little hope for an increase in state funds. In this environment, the student body should be informed about the facts.
Even if we increase tuition by 6.5 percent, the maximum allowed by the Board of Governors, it will only raise $8.5 million because of our commitment to concurrent increases in financial aid and graduate student remissions. That would leave almost $11 million to come from cuts. That number is more than could ever come from cutting salaries of administrators who have already had their pay frozen for four years. We understand UNC’s Students for a Democratic Society’s frustrations to demand a referendum on tuition increases, but that wouldn’t solve the problem.
To be successful, we will need you to share your ideas while we make a more concerted push than past administrations to sit at the table as future cuts and spending are discussed and distributed. Pretending that we can avoid tuition increases is irresponsible, and attacking the administrators who are trying to make the right decisions is misguided. Working together to protect our education and this incredible community is worth all of our efforts.
Zealan Hoover
Student Body Vice President
Mary Cooper
Student Body President
