UNC System budget cuts expected across the board

The North Carolina General Assembly has spent the last few months considering various budget cuts, tax increases, and other options to help balance the state budget. Last year, the General Assembly was faced with billions of dollars of debt, and was forced to raise taxes and make crippling cuts in education, including the UNC System. This year, the General Assembly is still faced with tough economic times and a loss of revenues tied to unemployment and the recession. Budget cuts for the UNC System resulted in crowded classes with less courses offered, lay offs, and various fees and tuition increases were set in place. The cuts were felt throughout all 17 UNC schools last year, and the outlook for the 2010-2011 academic year is just as grim.

            The original budget cuts to the UNC System that were proposed totaled $175 million, but the final decision will likely place budget cuts around $70 million. The General Assembly will also allow universities to increase tuition by as much as $750 per student. Chancellor Linda Brady spoke against the budget cuts and called for action by faculty, staff, and the student body. News of the budget cuts was disseminated to students through local and campus media, UNCG’s homepage, and through social networking sites, such as Facebook. Student-led efforts at UNCG and other college campuses were conducted with hopes of decreasing or eliminating the budget cuts that were initially proposed.

            In her legislative call to action, Chancellor Brady showed serious concern and worry for what the repercussions of the budget cuts would be to UNCG. Other Chancellors in the UNC System are also bracing for what is to come. Chancellor Randy Woodson of NC State commented that “we're already struggling to deliver the classes the students need to graduate. Class sizes are already a challenge, so it's something we have to consider.” In regards to raising tuition, UNC Chapel Hill Chancellor Holden Thorp said “we're hesitant to do it…but given where Carolina stands, with our tuition as low as it is compared to our peers, and the struggle we're in to preserve what we have, it may be the best of the options available to us.”

With budget cuts in place, UNCG will offer less classes, lay off faculty and staff, and classrooms will be more crowded. Fewer courses offered could result in students spending an extra semester at UNCG, and may not graduate within 4 years. Students are already concerned about finding the classes they need to graduate on time. UNCG administration has been focusing tirelessly on retention rates and helping students graduate within 4 years, but additional budget cuts will prove to be counterproductive to that effort. Students would see fewer academic advisors, fewer financial aid officers, and other vital services. Overall, the quality of education at UNCG will decline at a time of record enrollment and when higher education is integral to economic growth in North Carolina.