In response to UNC system President Tom Ross’ request for universities to keep tuition increase proposals under 10 percent, the UNCW Board of Trustees have adjusted their request from 10.7 percent to 9.2 percent. Chancellor Miller made the announcement last week.

“We have to fundamentally change the way we think about the management and leadership and financial position of this university,” said Miller.

In-state, undergraduate UNCW students paid $5,672 in tuition and fees for the 2011-2012 year. The new 9.2 percent proposal would add $522 to the bill, $85 less than the 10.7 percent proposal.

The 1.5 percent reduction hasn’t done much to dissuade critics of the tuition hikes.

“With respect to Chancellor Miller, the decision to offset state budget cuts with a tuition increase does not represent fundamental change,” wrote North Carolina Senator Thom Goolsby in a post on his website. “The financial position of these universities cannot improve if the leadership does not manage its institutions more like a business. When students face high unemployment and piling debt, keeping higher education affordable should be the first priority.”

The UNC Board of Governors is scheduled to vote on the proposed tuition increases Feb. 10.