(RALEIGH) -- The state constitution calls for a college education in North Carolina to "be as free as practicable." However, the UNC Board of Governors recently passed a tuition increase of 8.8 percent for all system campuses. Ran Coble of the North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research said it is possible that some university leaders could leave themselves open to legal action.

"And so that means you're now in the danger zone where some student or some parent sues and says you violated the state constitution.  You're asking the court to say, well, they use to be fifth cheapest and now they're about 25th in terms of most expensive," said Coble.

The cost increases recommended by UNC system president Tom Ross are well below what some campus leaders said they needed and will make up just 17 percent of the $414 million cut by state legislators last year.