CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — All 16 campuses in the UNC system could be charging more for an education next year. The system's Board of Governors is proposing a 4.8 percent tuition increase, but students are doing what they can to fight that plan.

Students from all 16 campuses in the UNC system want to "Keep North Carolina Educated." They gathered in Chapel Hill Wednesday night to make sure they got their message out.

Students claim a proposed tuition increase is not an option, but administrators said compared to other university systems, classes are crowded and professors are underpaid.

Students feel higher education funding needs to be a top priority on the state's political agenda.

"I do think it's up to the General Assembly to keep our education cost as low as possible," said student Haley Phillips. "I don't think it's up to us and if they can't do it, we'll elect someone else."

The students plan to fan out across the state over the next couple of weeks talking to church groups, civic groups and other organizations about the proposed tuition hike. The UNC-system Board of Governors plans to vote on the plan Mar. 6.