When the North Carolina General Assembly opens the 2005 regular session Jan. 26, higher-education issues are expected once again to be a major topic of discussion.

That discussion has already started on at least one issue — the budget recommendation for the 2005-07 biennium for the University of North Carolina system. In November, the UNC Board of Governors approved a budget recommendation that is 28 percent more than the system’s current appropriation. The request comes at a time when legislators could be facing with yet another round of contentious budget negotiations.

The entire 2005-07 requested appropriation equals $5.2 billion. The UNC System is seeking $2.5 billion for fiscal 2005-06 and $2.7 for the following year. Currently, the system receives about $1.8 billion in state funding.

Some state representatives called the plan a little bit of wishful thinking when it was announced in November. And Rep. Wilma Sherrill of Asheville compared UNC’s budget request with a kid’s wish list at Christmas, saying they ask for more than they know they will receive.

Gov. Mike Easley has received UNC’s request for review as he works on his budget presentation, which was to be presented to the General Assembly in January.

The requested increase includes $73 million for anticipated enrollment growth within the system. Enrollment for the 2004-05 school year is 189,615 students, a record. That number is expected to climb to more than 196,000 for the 2005-06 term. UNC leaders will increase the enrollment growth request to $133 million for fiscal 2007.

The enrollment growth increase for fiscal 2004 was nearly $65 million.

Research money is also included in the budget proposal. UNC leaders are asking for $25 million for research projects. The system also asks for $25 million for economic development initiatives.

Though UNC officials presented a large budget request, many within the system do not expect Easley or the legislature to fully fund it. UNC President Molly C. Broad told the Associated Press, “It is a very large request, and we have no expectation that it can be fully funded.”

However, Brad Wilson, chairman of the Board of Governors, said the school had every right to make the large request to state leaders. Wilson said the request represents the system’s needs for the upcoming two years.

Shannon Blosser is a contributing writer to Carolina Journal.