Anthony Hennen explains in today’s Martin Center article that a number of the schools in the University of North Carolina system profit handsomely from unused meals students paid for in their meal plans. Although food costs are not a major part of the high cost of going to college, for some students, every dollar counts. Hennen concludes, “For many students, saving $1,000—or even $500—per semester is a major boon. It could be the difference between graduating or dropping out. UNC administrators should be aware of how much a change can benefit their students.”

George Leef is the the director of editorial content at the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal.