Chapel Hill Review

The University of North Carolina System is seeking $45 million from the General Assembly to help mitigate the financial impact from the COVID-19 outbreak. 

According to the Carolina Journal on April 20, the UNC is planning to make necessary changes to its operations to ensure that it can continue offering the services to students during the pandemic. University officials outlined reasons for the $45 million, such as supporting online instruction and necessary one-time bills. 

University officials projected that the system will lose nearly $80 million in revenue related to housing, the publication reported. 

“We just all feel that it’s important for us to put forward our best judgment as to our request right now,” UNC interim President Bill Roper said, according to the publication. “Of course, as your question implies, we’re in uncertain times, and there may need to be further modifications going forward. But we need to be putting forward the request so the people who are receiving it in the governor’s office and at the legislature can begin doing their part.” 

Since COVID-19, UNC has switched to an online at its 17 campuses for the classes that were traditionally held in person, according to the report. Students have been asked to move out of dorms and while essential staff members remain on campuses. 

Over the summer, UNC will continue to offer its online classes, but plans for the fall semester are still largely uncharted territory.

Roper said that the colleges are doing the best that they can at this time but there are still very clear challenges that the UNC System is facing, according to the publication. 

As was already determined, the UNC System should receive $87 million from the CARES Act, however that funding will only be enough to cover some of the universities’ expenses, according to the publication. 

UNC also believes that they will require an additional $10 million to pay bills through this semester, and many canceled events and activities will be costing another $20 million, according to the publication.

UNC believes that these funds are necessary to continue to keep its employees and maintain operations, according to the publication. Additionally, UNC is requesting $5 million as well as $3 million in recurring funding for updates to its online learning program.