Lawmakers are moving ahead with a plan to cut tuition at some University of North Carolina campuses. The controversial proposal has caused friction between educators, students and lawmakers.
House and Senate leaders announced Monday night that tuition cuts would apply to students at Elizabeth City State, a historically black university. It would amount to $500 per semester for in-state applicants. The cuts are part of the General Assembly's budget compromise, and also include Western Carolina University and University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
The proposal originally included two other historically black universities, Winston-Salem State and Fayetteville State. The bill's sponsor, Senator Tom Apodaca, scaled it back after complaints from students and alumni. Opponents argued that lower tuition could cheapen the quality of the degrees.
Senate leader Phil Berger said Elizabeth City State would benefit from the enrollment increases prompted by the lower tuition. A recent audit showed sharp drops in enrollment, as well as administrative shortfalls.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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