Any reduction in the indirect costs NC State has earned and earmarked would have a devastating impact.

• The university could be left with bills it cannot pay. It would be forced to cut back its research activity in agriculture, engineering, environmental sustainability, biotechnology and other critical fields, or to divert other educational resources to support the research. NC State's ability to continue to make scientific advances for the good of society is at stake.
  
  
• At a research-extensive university like NC State, hands-on research is a central part of students' educational experience. Any reduction in indirect costs would erode the quality of education for thousands of graduate and undergraduate students.
  
  
• North Carolina's competitive edge and economic advantages would shrink. While other states, such as Georgia and Illinois, make large state appropriations to encourage research, North Carolina does not. Its public research universities must rely on indirect costs. If we lose them, we will lose ground -- and possibly lose companies and jobs -- while other states that have made investments in promoting research will surge ahead.