N.C. State students protest fee increase

Raleigh, N.C. — North Carolina State University students are protesting a student fee increase they say they voted against.

The $83 increase would cover renovation costs to the Talley Student Center and Atrium Food Court.

In an Oct. 5 student government election, more than 60 percent of students voted against the fee increase. The following day the N.C. State Student Senate passed a resolution to approve the fee.

The student center was opened in 1971 when the university had an enrollment of about 14,000 students.

The renovations are in direct response to the school’s increased enrollment, according to Rally 4 Talley, an online campaign in support of the project.

The renovations would add more food options, relocate the north campus bookstore to the atrium and offer more space for student programs.

Nearly 100 protesters are expected to speak at Wednesday’s Student Senate Meeting at the Witherspoon Student Center.

A final decision on the fee will be made by the UNC System's Board of Governors at their February 2010 meeting, according to T. Greg Doucette, president of the UNC-system Association of Student Governments.

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The students at NCSU just got a painful lessons in the politics of money. Just as the voters voted against a bond to build the convention center (not because they were against the bond, but because they were against another expensive, underutilized convention center) and the city raised taxes and built it anyway, the university has decided what it is going to do and will raise the money from the student on way or the other. We may live in a democracy, but the majority does not always get to rule.

NH Mom
October 16, 2009 8:29 a.m.

NCSU is all about money. They spend all this money on things that are not useful and when they really need it.. OOPS!! It's GONE! The population of the school is increasing to the point that certain colleges are having to house classes in different buildings. NCSU is growing faster than it can plan for and now the have their backs against the wall and need money for expansion. Go figure. There is nothing more fun than taking a purchasing class in a chemistry class room because COM has no room in Nelson.

NCSUgirl09
October 15, 2009 4:38 p.m.

By next fall, they will up the fees again.

Professor
October 15, 2009 3:10 p.m.

"The $83 increase would cover renovation costs to the Talley Student Center and Atrium Food Court."

No, the $83 is just for the Atrium. Talley would cost another $750 per student over the following three years.

Sir Freezy McQuackers
October 15, 2009 2:58 p.m.

It doesn't make sense raising the fees for students who won't even be there to see the renovations. Why not just start the increase for incoming freshmen next fall? The Shockmaster

My comment exactly. Good for you for bringing it out. :)

Professor
October 15, 2009 2:37 p.m.