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"Who knows what will come of it, because the college is fine," he said. "If it would mean something even better for the college, well, that would be fine, too."

Dr. Will Pittman, chairman of the Wesleyan board, said a public university would do wonders for the region and breathe new life into the campus.

"It would allow the campus to grow much more rapidly in terms of enrollment and offerings," he said. But, he added, "it's not something we're depending on."

A conversion could be complicated, with legal and financial implications of transferring a private college's assets, students and faculty to the state. Ties to the Methodist Church would have to be severed. The college's mission would have to be clearly defined. The legislation suggests a focus on areas such as science, technology, education and economic development.

The study will cost the UNC system $50,000. That might not be enough to explore all the details. One consultant quoted a cost of $200,000 to $250,000 for a thorough study or $75,000 to $80,000 "if you know where you want to come out," according to e-mail from Alan Mabe, UNC's vice president for academic planning, to other UNC staff members.

Bowles promised the study would be legitimate, with "no preconditions, with no assumption that we knew the answer ahead of time," he said.

Sen. A.B. Swindell, a Democrat from Nashville, said he was quickly persuaded by local business and civic leaders when he was approached. A UNC campus in Rocky Mount would help the area and a fast-growing state, he said.

"We've got to look and see how we are going to be positioned in 20 years," he said. "We need math, science and biotechnology emphasis right here, now, today."

Bowles said he's open-minded.

"If this study comes back and says this is the right thing for us to do, I'll support it," he said. "If it doesn't, I will fight it."

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