For little more than an hour last week, students had an opportunity to voice their concerns regarding A&T and its place within the UNC System with President Tom Ross.

Mentions of tuition hikes, bigger class sizes and program cuts seemed to dominate the conversation between students and the Greensboro native in the ballroom of the University Event Center.

As part of his eleventh stop to the 17 schools within the system, Ross not only listened, but also voiced to students his concerns on the proposed budget cuts statewide.

“If we have to cut jobs in order to balance our budgets, I’m worried about whether that might push us back into a worse economic situation,” said Ross. “I worry about the impact it’s going to have on you [students].”

Recently, Gov. Bev Purdue announced her proposed 2011-13 state budget. If passed it will call for a 9.5 percent cut for UNC-General Administration and campus operating budgets. Results from this budget may mean that tuition will rise, academic programs will be cut and more than 1,500 jobs could be lost across the board.    

For A&T proposed measures have already taken place. A maximum 15 percent cut may take place if the budget is passed, which may result in the elimination of 11 academic programs.  

“Our department really struggles with funding,” said Rachel Jackson, graduate student in Department of Natural Resources. “I have no problem paying more for my tuition as long as the quality of my education doesn’t go down.”

According to Ross legislators in the N.C. General Assembly have been talking about raising tuition to make up for budget cuts, which in essence is asking for more money without raising the quality of education.

“I think that’s a real problem,” said Ross. “It’s our responsibility – yours and mine to help convince legislators to not go in that direction. If you get in the cycle of raising tuition without raising quality, you begin to lose applicants whether graduate or undergraduate. Once you begin to lose applicants, then you begin to lose money.”

SGA Parliamentarian Mitchell Brown posed the question on how to educate N.C. legislators on the importance of keeping costs down for students. A lot of talk has been made statewide from representatives from higher education on lobbying efforts to keep the university system striving.

“Organize efforts to talk to legislators,” said Ross. “A lot of time it has to be made real for them.”

Last year, former UNC president Erskine Bowles said prior to his retirement, “If we keep having cuts, cuts, cuts, we’ll have to look at eliminating schools, campuses.” 

Ross, however, feels that is not a realistic measure in his administration

“I think every one of our campuses has a very important role to play in the community in which they are located,” said Ross. “This university [A&T] employs 700 faculty and that’s a lot of jobs. If you break down a place like this it’s going to have a huge impact on the community.”

Throughout Ross’ tour at A&T, he met with administrators to get an idea on the effects that could happen to A&T. Serving to observe and report back to the board of governors on the progress at the university, Ross assured students that he has the best interest for A&T.

“It’s our responsibility to be sure that citizens of N.C. and the legislature understand the importance of our university,” said Ross. “It’s also important that we help them understand that quality education that teaches students how to think and communicate produces leaders of tomorrow.”

• Kelcie McCrae