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10 MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2004 BOARD EDITORIALS EXCESSIVE DEMANDS Certain proposals generated by the UNC Board of Trustees tuition talks place at risk values fundamental to the mission of the University. Tuition. It’s a dirty but inescapable word, and it’s now once again on the tongues of UNC - Chapel Hill trustees. In the world of higher education, financial need is a beast that must be pacified periodically at almost every college and university. Increases in the price of a UNC-CH education ar e necessary evils, as die University works to remain in competition with its academic peers while meeting operational costs. In examining and discussing various tuition mod els, the Board of Trustees ultimately is looking out for the well-being of those who teach, study and work at the University. But one plan under serious consideration, by which out-of-state tuition would be raised by $6,000 over the course of three years, is far too drastic and should be taken off the table. The University community once again is witness ing the frustrating seesaw effect involving the aca demic environment on campus and the finances required to preserve it UNC-CH needs money to retain important facul ty members who potentially could find higher salaries at other institutions. However, officials need to be very careful about where any first-time revenue goes. The John Motley Morehead Foundation and the Educational Foundation have been mentioned as possible recip ients of new tuition money. While these two groups are important cogs of the University, they are private entities, and the average student should not be burdened with their upkeep. The BOT is looking to make a decision soon because money coming from a campus-based tuition increase would remain under UNC-CH’s control. In one of a group of slides presented in conjunc tion with the trustees’ Jan. 7 tuition workshop, UNC CH officials outlined a “tuition rate philosophy” for both in-state and out-of-state students. This philosophy holds that the cost of a UNC-CH education should be “affordable and accessible” for residents and “value and market driven” for nonres idents. The attitude toward in-state students is the right one to take, as tuition must remain within the con fines of North Carolinians’ budgets. But officials’ philosophy regards nonresidents much as they would be treated at a private univer sity: more a revenue source than a vital part of the student population. The University of North Carolina’s mission state ment, contained within the state’s General Statutes, holds that it “shall seek an efficient use of available resources to ensure the highest quality in its service to the citizens of the State.” As written, the UNC system’s primary duty is to North Carolinians, but an additional, undeniable aspect of UNC-CH’s purpose isn’t mentioned explic itly in the mission statement. This institution was the the first public university in the United States to open its doors and has remained one of the nation’s bastions of higher learning. UNC-CH officials should be proud of the fact that the University is considered to be a “best buy” in many circles that is, an outstanding educational experience at a reasonable price. While the state and its students must continue to top UNC-CH’s list of priorities, officials shouldn’t underestimate the fact that almost one fifth of the student body comes from outside North Carolina. Nonresidents are invaluable to the University because they dramatically raise the level of diversi ty on campus and enhance UNC-CH’s academic rep utation. Research has indicated that many out-of-state students eventually choose to make North Carolina their home and enhance the state’s intellectual sta tus and economic well-being. Out-of-state students currently pay $15,920 in tuition and fees to go here. The four public schools placed higher than UNC-CH in the latest U.S. News & World Report EDITOR'S NOTE: The above editorials are the opinions of solely The Daily Tar Heel Editorial Board, and were reached after open debate. The board consists of seven board members, the editorial page associate editor, the editorial page editor and the DTH editor. The 2003-04 DTH editor decided not to vote on the board and not to write board editorials. (Bbp Saily (Ear PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS STAFF Craven, Judy Pham, Anna Stokes, Kia Thacket and Ada Wilson, representa tives. Display Advertising: Kate Bingham, Melanie Brooks, Elizabeth Crutcher, Megan Gilchrist Annie Godwin, Matt Eagle, Andy lunnen, Shannon Plummet, Kelsey Scott and Business and Advertising: Janet Gallagher-Cassel, director/general manager; Chrissy Beck, director of marketing; lisa Reichle, business manager Tiffany Flomo, retail sales manager; Ellen Withrow, business assistant. Customer Service: Kimberly EDITORIAL STAFF Assistant Editors: Philip McFee and Michael Pucci, arts 4 entertain ment Shannan Bowen, Chris Glarner and Dan Schwind, city; Jennifer Daily, Katie Schwing, copy; Orla Buckley, Randi Demagistris and Nicole Neuman, design; Elliot Dube, editori al; Nikki Werking, Kristen Williams, features, Adam Shupe, online, Kate Blackman and Laura Morton, pho tography; Dan Blank, Gaby Deßosa and Chris Gilfillan, sports; Stephanie Jordan and Laura Youngs, state 8 national; Joseph Schwartz, Brian Hudson and Emily Steel, university. Arts & Entertainment Brian Millikin, senior writer, Kemp Baldwin, Tacque Kirksey, Leah Konen, Kate Lord, Garrett Manis, Becca Moore, Tom Previte, Jackie Randell, Tanner Slayden, Lauren Streib and Jim Walsh. Cartoon: Britt Peck, Andrew Johnson, Fitz Holladay, Andrew Stevens and Chris Mattsson. City: Katie Grim, senior miter. Sarah Rabil, Sara lewkowicz, Sarah Hancox, Erin Gibson, Emily Vasquez. Jennifer Pogue, Lindsey Listrom, Jane Novotny ana Terrence Jordan. Copy: Emily Fisher, David Lorimet, Christina Rexrode and Rebecca Wilhelm. Design Daniel BeOen, Jessica Giroux, Tiffany Ward, Amy Dombrower, Jennifer Alliet, Brooke Moskovitz, Jenna Wooten, Laura Dingeldein and Kate Lord. Editorial: Chris Cameron, Phil Feagan, Jeff Kim, Ada Wilson. Daniel David, Mike Gorman and David Siegel, editorial board, Billy Ball, Michael Davis, Stephanie Horvath, Brentley Tanner and Nick Eberlein, columnists. Features: Carolina Lindsey, Kristen Valle, Kelley Ochs, Ami Shah, Jacqueline Brill, Emily Batdielder, Linda Shen, Jordan Caswell, India Autry, Andrew Satten, Meghan Gambling and Timothy Price. Online: Feilding Cage, Heather O'Kelley and Hsin-Ya Teng. Photography: Sara Abrons, Kimberly Craven and Garrett Hall senior photographers; Gillian Bolsover, Elspeth Callahan, John Dudley, Kristin Goode, Leah latella, Greg Logan, Allison Money, Gabi Trapenberg, Ashlie White, Aiex fine, Ashley Pitt, Andrew Synowiez, Jessica Russell, Justin Smith, Kathy Shuping, Madonna Lee, Brant Clark, Hunter Mcßae, Jane Novotny, linhda Tran The editorials are approved by the majority of the editorial board, which is composed of the editor, editorial page editor, assistant editorial page editor and seven editorial writers. The Daily Tar Heel is published by the DTH Publishing Corp., a non-profit North Carolina corporation, Monday-Friday, according to the University calendar. Callers with ques tions about billing or display advertising should call 962-1163 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Classified ads can be reached at 962-0252. Editorial questions should be directed to 962-0245. 0709436 OFFICE: Suite 104 Carolina Union CAMPUS MAIL ADDRESS: CB# 5210, Carolina Union U.S. MAIL ADDRESS: P.Q Box 3257, Chapel Hill, NC 27515-3257 rankings the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ($25,647), the University of Virginia ($22,169), the University of Califomia-Los Angeles ($19,508) and the University of Califomia-Berkeley ($19,460) ali charge nonresidents a greater amount of money for their education. Using a model developed by the National Association of College and University Business Officers, UNC-CH officials recently showed that the UNC-CH’s out-of-state undergraduate students pay $294 more than the actual cost to educate them. If the BOT does vote to support a $6,000, three year tuition increase for nonresidents, it would mark an exorbitant, excessive charge to out-of-state stu dents. Such a proposal risks sending the rest of the coun try the unfortunate message that UNC-CH is willing to turn its nonresident student population into a col lective cash cowl What the change would do is damage both the affordability and accessibility of a UNC-CH education. The University would lose the interest of those prospective nonresidents who can justify spending about $16,000 per year to be a Tar Heel but would consider other schools more strongly when that price tag begins to read $22,000. UNC-CH simply would be pricing itself out of the market for some out-of-state hopefuls —and it remains to be seen how many of those lost applicants would be academically superior to those who could foot the bill. This kind of alteration in tuition guidelines effec tively would be a step away from promotion of aca demic values and toward a reality in which an edu cation at UNC-CH goes to the highest bidders. Student Body President Matt Tepper has said it would be “ridiculous” for UNC-CH officials to raise nonresident tuition so much during so short a peri od of time without further research into possible consequences. Jerry Lucido, director of undergraduate admis sions, said that a study of such a tuition hike’s effects on the nonresident applicant pool currently doesn’t exist. He said that that it could cost as much as $500,000 and take as many as six months to arrive at conclusive findings. As expensive and time-consuming as this line of research might be, it would be worthwhile. The aca demic principles of the UNC-CH are priceless. Precious little time remains until the BOT’s Jan. 22 meeting. If trustees vote to change existing tuition guidelines, as is expected, the decision will go to the UNC-system Board of Governors before reaching the N.C. General Assembly. But trustees should not be rushed into making a bad choice. As James Thurber once wrote, “He who hesitates is sometimes saved.” In this case, indecision would not be as dangerous to UNC-CH’s values as impetu osity. The BOT would be wise to take more time even though it is under pressure from both the BOG and state legislators. UNC-CH officials must take greater pains to explore alternative scenarios before placing the financial burden on nonresidents to such a degree, and they must become fully aware of and comfort able with the consequences of doing so. The University community must be confident that the trustees, while not ignoring the influence of the almighty dollar, will not be rash in their decision making. BOG members, lawmakers and in-state students might gnash their teeth at the thought of officials making residents pay hundreds of dollars more for their education. But despite the University’s obligation to North Carolinians, UNC-CH also has an unwritten pledge to nonresidents, who already are paying more than the cost of their education here. Increasing tuition $6,000 over three years would be a bad move. There are alternatives which though they cer tainly would be less popular within the state wouldn’t do as much to compromise the University’s values. READERS’ FORUM Conservative student has never experienced bullying TO THE EDITOR: Not once in my nearly four years as a conservative at UNC has any one approached me and said, “Hey, I’m a Democrat. Give me your lunch money.” Asa conservative, I have not felt “bullied,” persecuted, or marginal ized on this campus. Brentley Tanner’s column on Jan. 8 (“Libend students, professors bully conserva tive minority”) is another example of classic Republican belly Etching. Far too often on this campus, Republicans prefer to spend time crying about how Big Bad Liberals Eire so mean to them rather than promoting the conservative agenda. The notion that UNC professors who are registered Democrats push their liberal views on students is completely unfounded. Professors’ voter registrations are not indica tive of the way that they will teEich their classes. In my experience, more often than not professors have gone out of their way to remain neutral when presenting class material and have not let their personal politicEd views come into play. Contrary to what Mr. Tanner says, this is even true of grEiduate students. For exEtmple, at the end of a political science course last semes ter, I commented to the instructor, a graduate student, that she did an outstanding job of presenting the Anne Tackabeiy, account executives Advertising Production: Penny Persons, manager; Kathryn Klein and Karen Stone, assistants. Classified Production: Cindy Henley. and Patricia Lapdula. Projects Team: Jamie Dougher. Sports: Jamie Agin, Aaron Fitt and Brandon Parker, senior writers, Sarah McConnaghy and Carrie Sasser, sports copy; Randy Wellington, Brandon Cowatd, Tyler Dancy, Mary Duby, Briana Gorman, Alicia Jones, Daniel Malloy, Mike Martinez, David Moses, Hunter Powell, Rachel Soder. Andy Wales and John Zhang. State & National: Kavita Pillai. Chris Coletta, Amy Thomson, Dora Gonzalez Rodriguez, Shelley Mayo, Dan Piergallini, Adjoa Adolfo, Alex Granados, Kathryn Roebuck, Margaux Escutin and Alesia DiCosola. University: Jennifer Immel and Lynne Shallcross, senior writers, Will Arey, Arman Tolentino, Caroline Kornegay, Lizzie Stewart, Greg Parker, Iris Padgett, Joe Saunders, Torrye Jones, Jenny Ruby, Kelli Boibet, Laura Bost, Maiy Beth Bardin, Megan Davis and Megan Serow. Editorial Production: Stacy Wynn, manager. Printing: Triangle Web. Distribution: Triangle Circulation Sendees. © Editorial Page ON THE DAY’S NEWS “May educationmevei • become as expensive as ignorance ” ANONYMOUS EDITORIAL CARTOON By Britt Peck, bmpeck@email.unc.edu COMMENTARY UNC must resolve to better serve community in 2004 I decided to skip making my own New Year’s resolutions this year and write some for dear old UNC instead. To that end, I humbly present the ways the University can better itself in 2004. Deal with staff issues now With a better job market and a stronger economy on the horizon, UNC likely will lose many employees to higher paying jobs in die new year. Although employees say they are troubled by low morale and a sense that they are underappreci ated, the biggest issue is low salaries. UNC has made hiring and keeping top faculty a priority in its Carolina First fimd-raising campaign, but it has not done the same for employees the very people who keep UNC running. In 2004 the University should make it a priority to raise private funds that allow it to keep employee salaries competitive. Tackle insurance problems The state’s health insurance is too expensive for employees’ fam ilies. This has forced some employees to seek private insur ance policies or, much worse, to leave their families uninsured. All of UNC’s peer institutions have better benefits, making our faculty easy to woo away. While UNC can’t fix the state’s health insurance program— the N.C. General Assembly must make any changes to it the University can and should lobby the legislature to improve it in the coming year. UNC also should investigate the possibility of creating and running a separate insurance program for material in a completely unbiased fashion. She asked me to guess her polit ical affiliation, and when I guessed a moderate Republican or Democrat, she surprised me by say ing she was Teller them left.” This is proof that instructors make Em effort to be “fair and bal- Emced” when teEiching. Mr. Tanner should know this, because he was in the same class. I challenge Mr. Tanner to use this forum to do more than vilhiinize liberals and whine about how hard RepublicEuis have it at UNC. Brittany Dunstan Senior Journalism and Mass Communication University should drop all charges against protesters I am writing to ask UNC not to prosecute Andrew Pearson for interrupting a UNC basketball game in an anti-war protest in February 2003. While I understand the University’s desire to deter protest ers on its courts, the fact that Mr. Pearson and his associates warned the chancellor of the planned action ahead of time, and the fact that they have accepted a two-year ban from the Smith Center, show that Mr. Pearson and the other pro testers are sincere people who were simply using their First STEPHANIE HORVATH NOT THE BELL OR THE WELL the University. If it is feasible, it would be worth seeking control. Listen to satellite concerns Plans for the new UNC campus were unveiled just before exams. The administration did a great job of making the plans accessible and of listening to public com ment. It will take as many as 70 years to complete planned cam pus growth, and University lead ers need to set a solid foundation in 2004 by playing nice, keeping folks informed and listening to concerns. Also, planners should reconsid er including affordable housing options. The University and the town are missing an opportunity to help counter the expensive Chapel Hill real estate market and give less-wealthy UNC employees who often commute from Durham, Chatham and some times Wake Counties —a chance to live a short bus ride from work. Not only will this cut down on traffic and alleviate parking prob lems, it also will make Chapel Hill more accessible to people of all income levels. No profit off of nonresidents I do not envy Provost Robert Shelton, who has the task of cre ating anew plan for tuition increases. No student wants to see tuition go up, but reasonable Amendment right to express all our desires for peace. By continuing to prosecute Mr. Pestrson, the University is violating its duty to free speech and political debate (as well as creating more media coverage and thereby encouraging further protests at its games). The primary mission of UNC is not to play basketball. It is to edu cate citizens, and that mission is never more important than at times when the government and the media sure not being truthful, as we now know they were not in the rush to war. In February 2003, Mr. Pearson and his associates were ful filling the mission of UNC far better than the players on the court. To jail him for it would send a terrible message to the community about UNC’s priorities. Kate Lovelady Carrboro TO SUBMIT A LETTER: The Daily Tar Heel welcomes reader comments. Letters to the editor should be no longer than 300 words and must be typed, double spaced, dated and signed by no more than two people. Students should include their year, major and phone number. Faculty and staff should include their title, department and phone number. The DTH reserves the right to edit letters for space, clarity and vulgarity. Publication is not guaranteed. Bring letters to the DTH office at Suite 104, Carolina Union, mail them to P.O. Box 3257, Chapel Hill, NC 27515 or e-mail them to editdesk@unc.edu. ©j? Satfg ®ar increases are needed to keep the University on track. The UNC Board of Thistees should resolve not to pass any more increases that affect current ' students. And Shelton’s plan 1 should not overburden out-of state students by putting the majority of the increases on them. A recent study by the National Association of College and University Business Officers found out-of-state students actually are * paying more than it costs to edu cate them. UNC should not sacri fice our attractive price tag to make profits off of these students. ' Run clean student elections Soon election season will be upon us, and students will be bom barded with pleas for their votes. I already have heard sniping between the campaigns. Candidates, nip this in the bud. Show the student body you are devoted and have a platform to die for. Leave the back-biting to the professional politicians, and make the 2004 campaign season the most issue-based ever. Get out the vote in 2004 All of the UNC student body president candidates must resolve to have a solid plan for getting out the vote in the 2004 presidential election. Matt Tepper’s administration registered a large number of stu dent voters but did not get them to the polls this year. The succes sor to Tepper’s administration must have a plan to mobilize stu dent voters this year. Contact Stephanie Horvath, a senior journalism major, at shorvath@email.unc.edu. Established 1893 110 years of editorialfreedom Uattg (Bar Urri www.dailytarheel.Gom ELYSEASHBURN EDITOR, 962-4086 OFFICE HOURS 2:15-3:15 PM MON., WED. DANIEL THIGPEN MANAGING EDITOR, 962-0750 JENNIFER SAMUELS PROJECTS MANAGING EDITOR, 962-0750 NATHAN DENNY EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR, 962-0750 BROOK R. CORWIN UNIVERSITY EDITOR, 962-0372 EMMA BURGIN CITY EDITOR, 962-4209 CLEVE R.WOOTSON JR. STATE & NATIONAL EDITOR, 962-4103 BRIAN MACPHERSON SPORTS EDITOR, 962-4710 MICHELLE JARBOE FEATURES EDITOR, 962-4214 NICK PARKER ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR, 962-4214 ALEX OBREGON COPY EDITOR, 962-4103 BRIAN CASSELLA PHOTO EDITOR, 962-0750 MICHELLE KUTTNER DESIGN EDITOR, 962-0750 KRISTEN OLIVER ONUNE EDITOR, 962-0750 JOHN FRANK PROJECTS TEAM LEADER, 962-0246 ' ERIC GAUTSCKI OMBUDSMAN If you have any concerns or comments about our coverage, please contact Ombudsman Eric Gautschi at gautschiOemail.unc.edu or 918-1311.
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Jan. 12, 2004, edition 1
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