Proposed Budget Cuts Will Hurt ECSU

The ECSU college chapter of the NAACP led a rally last February on the campus of ECSU, in protest of the proposed budget cuts to the UNC System which forced universities to increase tuition. We also traveled to Chapel Hill with a delegation from ECSU to protest the UNC Board of Governors meeting with hundreds of other students from throughout the 17 campuses in the UNC System. Tuition was increased, but our voices were heard, and we are more organized today than ever before. Once again students at colleges in the UNC System will see an increase in their tuition bills. Gov. McCrory released his proposed 20.6 billion dollar budget for NC in March. Gov. McCrory is proposing a 139 million dollar cut to the UNC System. If his proposed budget is enacted out of state students will fare the worst with a 12.3 percent increase in tuition. This is in addition to over 400 million dollars in cuts to the already struggling UNC System within the last two years. Student Power North Carolina, a group that the ECSU Chapter of the NAACP has partnered with since last year responded swiftly in releasing a statement and protesting the proposed cuts in Raleigh at the Administration Building. The Senate chamber of the NCGA released its proposed budget on May 22 with a proposed 50 million dollar cut to the UNC System. The House chamber of the NCGA, passed its version of the budget last month which is very similar to Gov. McCrory's proposed budget, with more increases for out of state students. ECSU's Interim Chancellor Charles Becton recently spoke with the Daily Advance on the proposed cuts, and referred to them as  "draconian" and went on to say  that they would "hamper ECSU's academic mission." Becton also stressed the importance of more alumni and community support due to the decreases in funding. I applaud Chancellor Becton for speaking out against the the NCGA on the cuts. Last year, the ECSU college chapter of the NAACP, and in particularly, myself received some backlash for leading the protest on campus, despite the fact many students especially out of state students would be deeply effected by the tuition increases. Last year the ECSU board of trustees approved a $321 per semester increase in tuition. Tuition increases have forced some ECSU students to put their education on hold, and many have approached me with their concerns of not being able to come back if the increases continue. Yes, ECSU is the most affordable institution in  the UNC system as of now, however decreased funding, and tuition hikes still hurt. As interim Chancellor Becton mentioned, some academic programs may also be in jeopardy. Undoubtedly, the board of trustees will be forced to raise tuition again in light of the harsh budget proposals coming from Raleigh. The final budget has yet to be enacted, however it is very clear that higher education is not a priority of the republican super majority in the NCGA. Whatever the outcome, students at every institution should continue to organize and fight these increases by peaceful protests, demonstrations, and lobbying to their respective representatives in Raleigh. For more information on tuition hikes visit www.studentpowernc.org

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