Governor Easley and Trustees Disagree over Tuition
by Harrison Carter

Gov. Mike Easley wants to put a freeze on in-state undergraduate tuition, but Board of Trustees claims that would put a wrench in their plans. The trustees recommended increases totaling $9.2 million for the coming year. Sixty-percent would be for teacher and teacher’s assistant salaries, and 40 percent for need-based aid.

Without the in-state raises, money earmarked for staff will drop from $5.5 million to $2.2 million. University Provost Robert Shelton says he hopes the lost money for need-based aid will be supplemented from other sources.

Shelton says the loss of these funds won't make or break the University, but it could lead to loss of faculty and fewer classes with more students. The Board of Governors has the final say on the tuition plan.