TO THE EDITOR:
On Friday, the UNC Board of Trustees, along with the heads of other UNC-system campuses, will submit a plan to close next year’s $100 million budget shortfall to the Board of Governors. The plan calls for a 40 percent tuition hike over the next few years, a move that will price out many students who are already struggling to make ends meet.
The proposed tuition hikes are exorbitant and unjustified. The money raised through these increases will not close next year’s projected shortfall and it leaves the university vulnerable to further budget cuts. Yet the administration refuses to consider alternative funding sources, such as the endowment or alumni donations.
The UNC Education Justice Alliance, a diverse student coalition opposed to the hikes, will present an alternative, student-driven budget proposal to the BOG on Friday and is planning a system-wide day of student action on Feb. 10, when the BOG votes on the budget proposals. Add your voice to the coalition by emailing unceja@gmail.com.
Caitlin Williams
UNC Education Justice Alliance
