Free as far as practicable?

exactly how to interpret "free as far as practicable." Wonder what those crazy old founding fathers were thinking when they wrote those weasel words.

I went to a mouse school. It was small, cheap, and worked for me. I now work at the elephant school. I think it would be misguided to pull the reins in on UNC-CH in order to meet the free tuition criteria. UNC-CH already lets a lot of students in from around the state that do not compete with the top talent applying and they have programs in place to help defray the costs of education.

But, facts is facts. UNC-CH has become a world class institute. To give that up would be another example of North Carolina aiming for mediocrity. If anything, UNC should try to create more small schools with highly-paid faculty to try and raise the education level in North Carolina. Not cut tuition at UNC and lead to cuts in services. Or, cut UNC loose and start over with the smaller schools.

In PA, Penn State is offically a state school, but they are run independently. The "state" system includes:
Clarion University (go Golden Eagles!)
Lock Haven University
Millersville University
Slippery Rock University
Bloomsberg University
West Chester University
California University
Indiana University
Shippensburg University
East Stroudsburg University
Mannsfield University
Cheyney Univeristy
Edinboro University
Kutztown University

These Universities are spread throughout the state and serve as commuter schools and centers for specific goals. For instance, one of the schools has a whole program that specializes in nanotechnology and has recieved state and federal funds for that program. Another has an incredible business school that places almost all of its students in good jobs because of its proximity to Philadelphia. And so on.

to funding woes at UNC and never has been. The problem lies with the NC General Assembly not providing the level of funding that they should. UNC should not have to balance their budget on the backs of its students and their parents.

Tuition is up 71% since 1999. You never see stats for how much tuition is up since 1986 or longer - 20+ years ago - but I am certain it is approaching 500% or more.

UNC doesn't need to charge the tuition that UVA or Michigan charge to be competitive with them. They have little to do with each other. I don't want UNC competing with UVA in a race to see which state can cut university funding faster (and then raise tuition) to satisfy the tax cutting fever of the GOP.

I hope this lawsuit moves forward and that it is successful. Then UNC needs to go back to the legislature and ask for the money thats needed. Fully funding the university system is a critical need for our state, but it should be done by taxpayers, not students.

I always liked that abv. better.

I'll tell you what about tuitition and fees. It does NOT increase the level of intellect at UNC or NCST when COST goes up. This is some sort of odd false truth propentents of costly higher education like to spout.

I come from a single parent family. I put/am putting myself through a undergraduate degree at NC State. I have amassed loan after loan just to "educate" myself to be a better member of society. One that wont work a 9-5 for 50 years with little savings and help into the national economy, which I see many of my drop out friends doing.

However it seems every year I was there, that was the point of higher education at a Top Tier University. Go out get a job and barely get by. Not to mention the loans.

I'm not complaining. I'm in protest over higher rates, 71% in less than 10 years?!, because I worry about our future. My brother and cousin will be attending state schools soon, I hope. And my family's situation hasnt changed at all. So then what? Burden him with an even LARGER load?

I promise you the UNC system is out of control. I hope with Bowles recent appointment to Chairman will help stave off this radical belief that the only way we can compete with other states is by charging more for the education we give out. You want a better education NC? Then YOU help it become a reality. Otherwise you'll get out what you put in.

Thanks for posting this Anglico. What can we do about this? Session's out right?

Be just, and fear not.

They were named one of twenty-five new ivy schools.

And despite the increases, it is still one of the better values for state schools.

The term UNC is being used ambiguously to refer to both UNC-CH and the UNC system. A major problem is that UNC-CH and NCSU are consolidating their power at the expense of other universities in the system. They rely on powerful boards, trustees, lobbyists and alumni to perpetuate this power and allocation of resources. I think they are doing a great job for their individual universities but they are doing a disservice to the UNC system as a whole.

weighs in.