Chapel Hill, N.C. — A blue-ribbon commission is studying how to best serve the state when it comes to education.
The UNC Tomorrow Commission's mission is to determine the needs of the state and implement responses to those needs. Jim W. Phillips Jr., chairman of the UNC Board of Governors and a commission member, said it is the university system's responsibility to remain relevant to what is happening in the state.
At its meeting Thursday, the commission looked at statistics suggesting the college-age population is expected to change dramatically in the future, with the majority of the future students coming from minority populations.
The commission also found baby boomers make up most of today's faculty, which could create problems in the future as those professors retire. Commission members also learned job losses in rural counties have been greater than those in urban areas.
As a result, the UNC system will need to accommodate increasing numbers of immigrant, minority and older students, according to the commission. The system will also have an increased stake in the K-12 education, so that students entering the system are prepared.
The commission hopes to finish up its study by December and then present its suggestions to the Board of Governors in the spring.



![[VIEW PAGE]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/news/local/politics/2007/02/06/1195254/1296152831-_NCCapitol_800x600-100x75.jpg)
![[VIEW PAGE]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/entertainment/movies/2007/12/29/2229920/2229920-1208172047-100x75.jpg)
![[VIEW PAGE]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/2008/06/05/3000786/swimming_pool-100x75.jpg)
![[VIEW PAGE]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/lifestyles/goaskmom/2011/04/28/9516059/9516069-1304016629-100x75.jpg)
![[VIEW PAGE]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/lifestyles/house_and_home/2008/07/27/3287725/Blueberries-100x75.jpg)
![[VIEW PAGE]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/traffic/2009/07/23/5645694/beltline-100x75.jpg)


WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.
This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.
August 24, 2007 6:38 a.m.
For taxpayers....it will be too expensive to attend college unless you're willing to pay for your child's and all the freebies' as well.
August 24, 2007 5:02 a.m.
August 23, 2007 8:02 p.m.
August 23, 2007 5:20 p.m.
August 23, 2007 4:30 p.m.