UNC System Faces Budget, Athletic, and Accreditation Uncertainty

North Carolina's public university leaders are facing heightened financial uncertainty before the 2025-26 academic year as the legislature remains deadlocked on a new budget, with both state and federal funding cuts under consideration. The UNC System Board of Governors highlighted pressures on all 16 public universities, especially UNC-Chapel Hill, which could see reductions in research and public broadcasting funds. Republican lawmakers are expected to push for tuition increases and spending cuts to balance new tax reductions, but details are unclear amid legislative disagreements. Uncertainty is compounded by the shifting landscape of college athletics, including speculation that North Carolina and other ACC schools may seek to join the SEC, potentially initiating major conference realignment. The UNC System is also preparing to leave its current accrediting body for a new one led by Florida's governor and other southern states, aiming to resist politicized accreditation standards. These combined challenges place the state's public universities at a pivotal moment as they approach the new academic year.