News Briefs - 9/1/2016
Gov. McCrory Announces Tuitions Reduction at UNCP
During Governor Patrick McCrory’s visit to UNC-Pembroke he announced that he would lower tuition at UNC-Pembroke, Western Carolina University, and Elizabeth City Sate University to $500 per semester. For out-of-state students the tuition will drop to $2,500. This will begin in the fall 2018 term.
The budget also included a cap on increasing university fees at 3 percent annually. As well as freezing undergraduate tuition at all UNC system schools for students who graduate in four years or if student is enrolled in a five-year degree program.
However, lowering the tuition at the three schools mentioned above could cost the state about $65 million annually in-lost revenue, according to early estimates obtained by the Raleigh News & Observer.
Rumors of the lowering tuition rate started back in February of this year; however, the plan did not come into fruition until August.
With this new plan being put into action colleges would become more affordable to students who never planned on going to college.
For many students, the cost of tuition, room and board, and other student fees tend to discourage students from ever getting into college. Family finances also play a big part in a student’s decision.
Transgender Plaintiffs Granted Access to Single-Sex Bathrooms
U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Schroeder granted two transgender students and an employee at UNC-Chapel Hill access to single-sex restrooms on Aug. 26.
The federal judge temporarily blocked the UNC school from enforcing the N.C. House Bill 2 law due to its violation of the Title XI law. Schools receiving federal funding must follow the guidelines of Title XI or they are at risk of losing millions in funding. The U.S. Justice Department and the American Civil Liberties Union sued the state of N.C. on behalf of the three plaintiffs.
Oral arguments were heard on Aug 1 in Winston Salem. In March, the HB2 was passed and indicated that transgender people may not have access to single-sex bathrooms to reportedly protect the residents of N.C. safety and privacy.
