Out-of-reach tuition

I was pleased to read of the statement signed by former UNC Board of Governors members opposing the requests for significant tuition hikes at our universities.

Also, I must applaud the efforts of William Johnson, chairman of the board in the late 1970s, on this issue and for his service to our great state.

The "catch-up" loophole in the 2006 legislation that allows our universities to demand more than the annual 6.5 percent tuition increase is disheartening. It reminds me of another loophole that is crucial in defining the status of higher education in North Carolina: the phrase "as far as practicable" in Article IX, Section 9 of the State Constitution.

Current attempts to balance quality and affordability are tasked with interpreting this phrase. The final decision risks either leaving many qualified North Carolinians unable to attend or with degrees of little value.

Five-year tuition increases of $2,800 at UNC-Chapel Hill and $1,500 at N.C. State are unconstitutional. While we must maintain the quality of our universities, these hikes would eliminate the ability of many students to attend and are therefore unacceptable.

Adam G. Hughes

Forest City