UNC-CH Chancellor: "A disproportionate cut"

For immediate use: Tuesday, April 12, 2011

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chancellor Holden Thorp today issued the following statement about the N.C. House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Education’s proposed 2011-13 state budget:

"While the University stands ready to be a partner in solving the state’s budget challenges, the initial budget proposal issued by the N.C. House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Education outlines deep cuts to education and a disproportionate cut to the UNC system.

"At Carolina, state dollars primarily support undergraduate instruction, so absorbing permanent cuts of this magnitude – more than $75 million -- would mean long-term damage to how faculty can teach students. The cuts would also require reducing the number of course sections we can offer and increasing the size of classes for our students.

"We are thankful for the House’s recognition of the importance of keeping tuition revenue on campus, fully funding enrollment growth and protecting federal dollars that support research performed by UNC-Chapel Hill and our sister campuses. UNC-Chapel Hill faculty earned more than $800 million to conduct life-saving research last year that positively supports the state’s economy.

"We remain concerned about the number of line-item reductions and ask the General Assembly to provide full flexibility in managing reductions. We understand that it is still early in the budget development process and will continue to work with the Legislature to preserve the quality of the education we provide to our students.” 

UNC-Chapel Hill budget information:  http://universityrelations.unc.edu/budget/

Contact:  Mike McFarland, (919) 962-8593, mike_mcfarland@unc.edu

UNC Statement: http://uncnews.unc.edu/content/view/4467/68/