The Board of Governors, the governing body of the UNC System, met in Chapel Hill Friday in its last meeting of the calendar year.

SBPs gather to voice concern at tuition increases

The Board discussed tuition increases one day after student body presidents from across the state met to discuss an advocacy strategy in hopes of overturning the decision made by the General Assembly to increase all tuition rates by $200 or 8 percent beginning with the 2010-11 academic year.

The increase would apply to all students, regardless of residency, and both undergraduate and graduate levels. 

Student Body Presidents Jim Ceresnak said the increase is a tax on tuition.

“The $200 will proceed directly to state funds and the universities will not receive any of the extra funds which are much needed for financial aid and other critical campus needs,” Ceresnak said. “The Association of Student Governments is fighting to have this increase revoked.  We are rallying as many student body presidents as possible because we want to see this changed. The Board of Governors  is encouraging the General Assembly to make this step as well- we want to see the money go back to the campuses.”

The decision on the increase will be reported later in the academic year.

Bowles praises State’s Centennial, alumnus

UNC System President Erskine Bowles said it was impressive that last month the university celebrated the 25th anniversary of Centennial Campus with the groundbreaking of J. Hunt Library.

He also commented on Doc Hendley, alumni of the university, was voted one of CNNís Top 10 Heroes of the World because of his non-profit organization, “Wine to Water.”

BOG sounds off on retreats

The retreat acts were important topic as well.  After a Chancellor or President have finished their term but wish to continue teaching, they must take a time period where they refresh themselves on the material that once taught and will teach again. 

The concept is known as a retreat act.  The main concern with this, regards how much the chancellor or president should get paid during the period and how long the period for the chancellor or president to completely renew the knowledge they will teach, should be.  

Also, the cost of textbooks was brought to the board of governors attention in the meeting the day before.

Textbook prices addressed

The report from the previous day said that the cost of textbooks per year can exceed one thousand dollars and that it sometimes nears two thousand dollars.  On top of tuition, this greatly increases college expenses. 

The Board of Governors agreed to monitor the costs of textbooks and will decide in future meetings whether or not tuition increases should be made based on how much the price of text books fluctuates. 

A rental program for textbooks, as pioneered at Appalachian State, will also be considered for colleges statewide.