Campus Y hosts teach-in to discuss tuition

As a decision nears on tuition increases for next year, UNC’s Campus Y is embracing its role as an educator on the issue while rejecting any specific objectives or proposals.

Student protesters, who have been actively opposing tuition increases since October, are setting their sights on UNC-system President Thomas Ross’ plan to increase UNC-CH’s tuition and fees by 9.9 percent for in-state undergraduates next year. The Board of Governors will vote on the proposal Feb. 10.

Ross’ proposal was the subject of a teach-in hosted Monday night by the Campus Y, which sought to explain the direct effect of tuition increases on students.

Laura McCready, a member of the Campus Y’s cabinet, said the organization is in favor of the lowest possible increase. But the emphasis of the teach-in, she said, was to inform students about the details of Ross’ proposal.

“We don’t expect Campus Y members to be active unless they understand the issues,” she said.

“We’re not trying to find unity on the percent of increase, but we’re trying to find unity on the sentiment that the Y should uphold.”

McCready added that presenting an alternate tuition proposal would not be an efficient way of combating dramatic hikes. The Campus Y doesn’t plan to endorse a specific proposal.

Earlier this month, the Campus Y’s cabinet voted to make tuition the focus of a “Y Campaign,” meaning that the whole body has united behind the topic.

Student Body President Mary Cooper was invited to speak at Monday’s teach-in. Cooper advocated a tuition increase in the fall that found support with student protesters, but she has since expressed support for Ross’ proposal.

Cooper said at the teach-in that student involvement is important and effective.

“Flex your muscles,” Cooper told attendees. “They are listening, and they are taking us seriously.”

McCready said Cooper was asked to speak at the event because of her thorough understanding of the issue.

“We respect her depth of understanding,” McCready said. “I couldn’t think of a better student who can present the facts.”

Joseph Terrell, the Campus Y’s director of internal relations and one of the organizers of the teach-in, said he hopes there is a strong student presence at the Feb. 9-10 Board of Governors meetings, and that an upcoming letter-writing campaign is an effective vehicle for student voices.

“If we can’t speak in the meeting, getting students to write what they want to say down is something we can do,” Terrell said.

He said he hopes students from all over the state attend the board meetings, but that the Campus Y’s objective focuses on building momentum for student voices.

“Part of this discussion is that (Feb. 10) is not an end date, it’s a start date,” Terrell said.

The Campus Y has historically focused on social issues such as the racial integration of UNC and protesting the Vietnam War.

The Education Justice Alliance, a coalition of student groups, and UNC’s chapter of Students for a Democratic Society have organized a teach-in of their own, scheduled for Thursday.

Future measures in opposition to tuition increases have been discussed but not yet announced, McCready said.

Staff Writer Caroline Leland contributed reporting.

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