CHAPEL HILL, NC – UNC System President Margaret Spellings issued the following statement in response to the N.C. General Assembly’s proposed budget:
“The General Assembly’s short session budget adjustments builds on the UNC System’s strongest budget in a decade and provides an additional six percent increase in total funding, ensuring that we can grow our historic role as an engine of opportunity for every North Carolinian.
At a time when policymakers are increasingly vocal about the need for access to a high-quality education for everyone, our legislators matched that rhetoric with the funding we need to get the job done.
Key UNC System priorities, like data modernization, received additional legislative funding, with total funding for our data overhaul reaching $9 million. The legislature’s support allows us to make long-needed, transformational progress in bringing our data systems into the 21st century. In addition, two strategic initiatives, NC Promise and UNC Lab Schools, continued to receive full funding, as well as additional $1 million increases to assist with implementation.
The Legislature also provided nearly $90 million in investments in university infrastructure projects, and over $20 million for staff compensation increases. We look forward to continuing to work with the General Assembly during the Long Session to advocate on behalf of our high-quality faculty and staff.
We appreciate the General Assembly’s clear vote of confidence in the strength and impact of North Carolina’s public higher education system and I know I speak for all of our institutions when I say we are excited to build on our progress.”