DeKALB | NIU Board of Trustees members cited decreased state contribution as the main reason tuition rates will be increased by 10.8 percent for the 2008 fiscal year.

Incoming students will now pay $205 per credit hour, regardless of hours enrolled. The previous system gave students a per-credit-hour price based on hours enrolled. Students will not be charged for any hours taken over 16 credit hours, as the previous system granted.

Current students are not affected because they are locked into their initial rate for nine semesters from when they start at NIU.

Outgoing student trustee Andrew Nelms admitted that affordability is an issue.

“This is an unpleasant thing to do but a necessary one,” said Nelms.

Trustee Myron Siegel was concerned that the increase may not even be enough to pay for all of the university’s costs.

“There is not a member that wants to raise tuition even a penny,” said Siegel, “Sometimes, we don’t have a whole lot of choice.”

The board members also elected their executive board for next year, with some changes.

Cherilyn Murer was elected the chair of the BOT beginning July 1. Other officers elected to the executive board were Marc Strauss as vice chair and Siegel as secretary.

The next student trustee, Shaun Crisler, was formally introduced to the board. Crisler is a master’s student in adult education and was Student Association president during the 2003-2004 school year.

The next BOT meeting will be Sept. 20.