UNC System Students Could See Big Tuition Increase

Members of the UNC Board of Governors expressed concern Thursday that years of budget cuts are threatening the mission of the state's public university system to provide students a high-quality but affordable education.

During a budget briefing in Chapel Hill, board members wrestled over whether to lift a self-imposed 6.5 percent annual cap on tuition increases to try to keep pace with the more than $1.2 billion in cuts and reversions in state taxpayer support since 2008.

The biggest hit came earlier this year with a $417 million cut approved for the current fiscal year by the Republican-controlled state legislature.

Leaders at the system's 16 universities will make requests for tuition increases in December. Board members are expected to vote early next year.