Recently the UNCW Board of Governors voted to reinstate the fee for requested copies of official transcripts. Beginning March 1, UNCW students and graduates will have to pay five dollars for each requested copy of their academic record.

Prior to 1993, UNCW students had to pay two dollars for each copy of their transcripts. In 1993, however, the fee was dropped and for the past twelve years students and graduates of UNCW have not been required to pay for copies of their transcripts.

“It is important to understand that the practice of collecting fees for various services such as transcripts is prevalent in higher education,” said Ron Whittaker of the Registrar’s Office.

According to Whittaker, the transcript fees will be used to offset the expense of producing and mailing transcripts.

“Overage will be used to support the addition of staff members to perform the student services extended by the staff,” Whittaker said.

Currently almost all North Carolina public universities charge students between five and 10 dollars for copies of their transcripts.

Some students are not concerned with the new policy.

“Five dollars is a bit costly, but I don’t think that it is a big deal to have to pay for a copy of your transcript,” said Ellen Johnson, a UNCW junior.