Tuesday, February 10, 2004

Memorandum

To: Wilmington Area Media

From: Abigail Riley, Vice President of Public Relations for Student Government Association

Date: Feb. 10, 2004

Attachments: Gov. Mike Easley’s Letter

Re: Tuition Increases and the Board of Governors

On Thursday, February 12, 2004 at 12:30 p.m. there will be a press conference hosted by the Student Government Association of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. It will be held on UNCW’s campus in the Warwick Center Ballroom. This press conference is to address proposed tuition increases for students that attend North Carolina’s 16 public universities. Steps are being taken by students to prove to each of the 16 campuses, the UNC Board of Governors, and the state legislature that the tuition increases are hurting students and their families. Governor Mike Easley wrote a letter to the chairman of the UNC Board of Governors asking him and the rest of the board not to increase tuition because he will be adding more funding in his 2004-2005 budget to ease the tuition burden from students. Students will meet at the UNC General Administration Building in Chapel Hill, North Carolina to protest the proposed tuition increases.

The UNC Association of Student Governments (UNCASG) has scheduled the ‘Students’ Day at the Board of Governors’ event for February 13, 2004 – to coincide with the Board of Governors meeting where tuition increases will be discussed. The students will begin to gather for the event at 9 a.m. and will hold a brief press conference outside of the UNC General Administration building, before going into the meeting. Students from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington will leave from UNCW on Friday, February 13, 2004 at 6:30 a.m. There will be transportation provided by the Student Government Association.

For more information on Students’ Day at the Board of Governors visit www.uncasg.org and click under Announcements or visit www.uncw.edu/sga.

Attachment:

February 6, 2004



Mr. Brad Wilson

Chairman

UNC Board of Governors

c/o UNC General Administration

910 Raleigh Road

Chapel Hill, NC 27515

Dear Brad:

Next week, the Board of Governors will consider campus-based tuition increases for the coming academic year. Last year, in my State of the State address, I called for a freeze on in-state tuition increases to ensure that access to the University is not jeopardized. As you know, the tuition and fee increases that the campuses have proposed range from 9 to 19 percent for resident students. If these increases are adopted by the Board of Governors, tuition will have more than doubled at several of our campuses since 1999-2000. This trend cannot continue without jeopardizing access, although our tuition and fees remain very competitive.

Many families from across our state have contacted me about the challenges that they face in financing their higher education. Many families have been hit hard by our national recession and unhelpful trade policy, and argue that increases of this size should not be considered at this time. I agree.

I tell students every day that education is key to American dominance in the world economy. Their patriotic duty is to become as educated as possible in order to be able to compete in the global marketplace, and to build their skills, talents and innovations to their full potential. Raising the cost of education sends a contradictory signal.

The Board’s highest priority has always appropriately been access to higher education. I share that priority. Despite fiscal challenges, I will make every effort for my 2004-05 budget to include full funding for enrollment increases, support for financial aid, and pay increases for state employees, including University faculty and staff.



Wilson

Page 2

February 6, 2004



I know that the chancellors and the campus boards of trustees struggled with their recommendations. Many of them believed that tuition increases would ensure that they would have the resources needed to improve their academic quality, in order to ensure that access to the UNC system means access to superior higher education. I know that your Committee on Budget and Finance met earlier today to listen to their thinking. I believe that we can ensure academic quality, without jeopardizing access.

We have made great strides in our college-going rate for high school seniors, now in the top six in the nation. Together, we must work to lead the nation. I appreciate your leadership and that of the Board as you consider these issues. I am sure that you and the Board will agree that this is not the time for this level of increases.

With kindest regards, I remain

Very truly yours,











MFE/cb



Cc: President Molly Broad

UNC Board of Governors

Campus Chancellors