From The Herald-Sun of Durham, Feb. 18

Erskine Bowles, UNC system president, said the nation is facing “the worst economic environment of our lives — the worst since the Great Depression.”

Hannah Gage, chair of the UNC Board of Governors, said the future of the entire state — not just the universities — is at stake.

So while the Board of Governors recognized the dire situation, it decided to raise tuition by an average of 3.9 percent anyway. Officials pointed out that was less of an increase than was first recommended.

At a time when few workers in private or public enterprises are receiving raises, when companies are laying off workers and unemployment is soaring, the decision to raise tuition seems tone deaf. Most governments are saying that despite looming budget cuts, they will try to hold the line on tax increases in recognition of the tough challenges citizens face.

Still, while the UNC system could have made a symbolic, hold-the-line gesture, the tuition increase probably won’t stop anyone from going to college.

At Carolina, the increase will amount to a $160 for the year, along with a $68 bump in student fees. At N.C. Central, tuition will rise by $46 and fees will go up $86.

Of course, any increase will be felt by families struggling to make ends meet. To help, North Carolina students are fortunate to have a variety of financial aid options. Students should talk to an adviser — most will find the help they need.

And don’t get the idea universities are above the economic maelstrom. Like everyone else, they face unprecedented cutbacks. State lawmakers will be studying how to cut $2 billion to $3 billion from the budget. With education at 55 percent of all spending, UNC schools are bracing for impact.

University employees may also face furloughs — unpaid, mandatory time off. And, as UNC president Holden Thorp told The Herald-Sun’s editorial board recently, dozens of open positions are staying unfilled.

The tricky balance is to keep tuition as low as possible and quality of education as high as possible. In times like these, that balance is a moving target.