The budget was the topic of conversation as Tom Ross, president of the UNC system, fielded questions from Student Senators Wednesday night.

Ross, who took the job in January, spoke for about an hour with Chancellor Randy Woodson chiming in occasionally. He did not deny that the system is under duress, but said he would not have taken the job if he did not believe it could be fixed.

“I want to hear from you,” Ross said. “You have felt [budget reductions] more this year, perhaps, than anytime before in your careers. What turns people around the most is when I tell them [students’]