Rusty Carter: "Boosting" Budget Provisions

"Boosting" Budget Provisions
Citizens for Higher Ed member Rusty Carter responds to the editorial "Campus Pack's Muscle" in the Raleigh News and Observer

Responding to the June 25 editorial, I believe it is important to provide some background. Two years ago, in order to provide some definition to constitutional vagueries, the UNC-CH Board of Trustees publicly made the practical and strategic decision to adopt a tuition philosophy that Carolina’s in-state tuition would remain within the lowest 25th percentile of public peers. Trustees agreed to consider campus- based tuition recommendations only after prudent campus debate, documented critical needs, full financial aid coverage and only as a last resort. Accordingly, access would not be impacted.

The scholarship provision has been discussed in the legislature for years. Moreover, it has finite benefit for athletics as controlled by NCAA scholarship limits, but has unlimited upside for academic foundations and merit awards. This is a critical distinction.

It is important for all North Carolinians, but especially Bill Frida and President Molly Broad, to know that in support of these provisions, no strategy to exit from the proud UNC System exists. Senate leaders (not UNC CH trustees nor PAC members), chose to introduce legislation to enact this policy outside of their appointed Board of Governors’ approval process. Many groups logically support the very tuition guidelines enacted at UNC-CH and the scholarship variance long promoted. While we at UNC-CH may disagree with BOG or other campuses on the structure and scope of these provisions, there is no subversive agenda. The environment is far less dramatic with far less intrigue than is being portrayed.

"UNC boosters," I submit, are uniformly committed to the advancement of our constitutional heritage for UNC-CH and for the entire UNC System. We support low tuition, broad access and the transfer of knowledge to the service of the citizens of our state and the world. It is neither power nor controversy we seek. It is creative direction and effective action. The Senate budget proposals have recognized such.

The entire University System with help from the State of North Carolina must develop creative funding models for the future security of our prized and unique education model. It may not be the same for every campus. The answers will not come to us, we must find them. We all must be committed to retain this historic public mission entrusted to us by our founders to “hold in trust” yet simultaneously take action. Our founders’ expectations and determination were noble. So are ours.

Rusty Carter
UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees
Citizens for Higher Education member