Now I don’t know all the financial details of running a research university, but why isn’t cutting enrollment to save money an option? It seems like a no-brainer to me. Less money from the state means less North Carolinians get educated. UNC campus enrollment is growing in the face of budget cuts! We’ve all heard that the out-of-state students pay the real cost of their education at N.C. State.

I am sure administration has a number for how much money it needs from the state per student to be effective. If it isn’t getting that number per student, why does enrollment endure and even increase? You could ask for some money back from a couple high administrators, but that’s like putting a band-aid on an ax wound.

As much as we hate our blue sister to the west, we could take a page from them on out-of-state enrollment. It needs to be the maximum amount allowed by state law. It disgusts me that they’re talking about cutting courses, departments, programs and even colleges from N.C. State. And before you think I’m some carpetbagger trying to take your jerbs, I was born and raised in N.C.

There is serious harm being done to the UNC system by the General Assembly. By continuing to enroll the same number of students in the face of cuts, we damage the value of all 17 campuses. When some of those legislators’ children start getting rejection letters from N.C. State (and the rest of the system), maybe they’ll figure it out then. Shutting down East Carolina and Western Carolina probably wouldn’t be such a bad idea either. It’s time to thin the herd.

Reginald Barclay

alumnus