The NIU Board of Trustees approved recommendations for student fee increases Thursday.

As a result of the increases, full-time undergraduate students will pay $1,179.20 in student fees per semester, a $59.76 (5.34 percent) increase from this year’s rates. Graduate student fees will rise from $1,107.56 to $1,166.12, a $58.56 (5.29 percent) increase.

Proposed residence hall room rate increases also were approved by the board.

The new rates vary depending on the residence hall, but the average rate increase is 9.7 percent.

A student living in Grant Towers in a double room, for example, will pay $2,675 per semester, up from $2,440 this year – a 9.6 percent increase. A student living in Stevenson Towers in a single room will pay $3,752, up this year from $3,419 – a 9.7 percent increase.

On average, students will pay $277.45 more for their room per semester next year.

Students will also pay more for their meal plans. On average, students will pay 10.5 percent more for the gold, platinum and titanium dining options than they do now.

If students want the minimum dining plan (Dining Dollar Plan-Gold), they can expect to pay $960 each semester, up from $880 this year.

Though board (meal plan price) rates were not increased last year, they were raised this year to offset various cost increases including utilities, salary increments and residence hall improvement projects, according to information distributed by the trustees.

Activity fees for students enrolled in 12 credit hours or more will rise to $47.40 from this year’s $45.12, a 5.05 percent.

Rates for university-sponsored health insurance will rise to $377 from $350, a 7.7 percent increase.

About 40 percent of eligible students purchase the insurance, according to material distributed by the trustees.

Student Trustee Shaun Crisler, who represents students on the board and voted in favor of the increases, urged students to keep context when looking at fee hikes.

“I don’t want to see fees go up,” Crisler said. “I’m looking at my own pocket. But students should keep in mind where they’re going. We’ll be able to expand programs like the Campus Child Care Center and [Students’] Legal Assistance.”

The meeting was perhaps more somber because it was the first full board meeting since the Feb. 14 shootings. NIU President John Peters acknowledged this fact.

“Before Feb. 14, many of the items on our agenda would have seemed routine,” he said. “We’ve been given the bittersweet gift of perspective. We know what is important and what is not.”

Rates for university-sponsored health insurance will rise to $377 from $350, a 7.7 percent increase.

About 40 percent of eligible students purchase the insurance, according to material distributed by the trustees.

Student Trustee Shaun Crisler, who represents students on the board and voted in favor of the increases, urged students to keep context when looking at fee hikes.

“I don’t want to see fees go up,” Crisler said. “I’m looking at my own pocket. But students should keep in mind where they’re going. We’ll be able to expand programs like the Campus Child Care Center and [Students’] Legal Assistance.”

The meeting was perhaps more somber because it was the first full board meeting since the Feb. 14 shootings. NIU President John Peters acknowledged this fact.

“Before Feb. 14, many of the items on our agenda would have seemed routine,” he said. “We’ve been given the bittersweet gift of perspective. We know what is important and what is not.”