The UNC board of governors will decide today whether Winston-Salem State University can raise athletics fees, a decision that could affect the university's transition to Division I.
The university wants to raise its athletics fees in the next academic year to $760 for each full-time student. That would be a 31 percent increase over the current fees of $539 a student, and it would give WSSU the highest athletics fees of any school in the UNC system.
The university is in the third year of a five-year transition from Division II to Division I of the NCAA. To play in Division I, schools must meet several requirements, including offering more sports and more scholarships. But the athletics department at WSSU has a $1.5 million budget deficit this year. An increase in athletics fees would help close that gap.
The increase must be approved by the 32-member board of governors. Erskine Bowles, the president of the UNC system, has recommended against the increase. He has also recommended that the board keep tuition increases small at UNC schools because students and their families are struggling in the poor economy. WSSU has not asked for any tuition increase next year.
The board of governors will meet today in Chapel Hill to decide on tuition and fees at all schools in the UNC system.
■ James Romoser can be reached at 919-833-9056 or at jromoser@wsjournal.com.
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