On Sept. 15 and 16, the Board of Governors for the University of North Carolina school systems met to discuss COVID-19 protocols and their effects on budgets. Key points of focus from the meeting were the continuation of lessening COVID-19 restrictions, as well as a potential budget increase that will be discussed and voted on Nov. 17 and 18. Both topics will have immense effects on students of UNC institutions.

While this issue may not seem significant on the surface, the fee increase is emblematic of the cultural and political environment we are living in today. Arguably, the two largest topics that faced the nation last year and continue to do so are the pandemic and police reform, so it is hardly surprising that the university has chosen to raise an extra $335,688 for both. 

The UNC System board of governors (BOG) held their bi-monthly meeting earlier this week and discussed COVID-19 aid, a new project with PBS North Carolina, and approving a new board of trustees across the system. 

The UNC System will eliminate their “stair-step/block” model used for main campus programs and instead create an equal tuition rate for main campus and distance programs. 

UNC Wilmington’s campus welcomed University of North Carolina System President Margaret Spellings and other members of the Board of Governors (BOG) to campus on Tuesday, Oct. 24. This visit was conducted...