A recommended tuition and student fee increase could have full-time undergraduate students paying about $115.70 more per semester next fall.

The recommendation came from Wednesday’s meeting of the Board of Trustees’ Finance, Facilities and Operations Committee. The new plan would go into effect for the fall semester if approved by the entire board March 19.

Tuition for undergraduates taking 15 credit hours would increase from $105 per credit hour to $109.75, a 4.5 percent increase. The corresponding student fees would rise from $716.51 to $760.96, a per-semester increase of 6.2 percent. Room and board rates would stay constant, with an altered meal plan making up for increased housing costs.

NIU President John Peters said the tuition increase would cover the yearly Illinois Board of Higher Education budget recommendations, along with more money toward smart classrooms and training NIU faculty to use them.

“The setting of base tuition rates is very important and comes after very, very, very careful analysis,” Peters said.

Student trustee James Barr said both the tuition and fee increases would add to the value of an NIU education.

“We need to keep getting technology into the classroom,” he said.

During the past few years, annual tuition increases have averaged at 3 percent. Chief Operating Officer Eddie Williams said the proposed increase should generate $2.5 to $3 million in added revenue.

Student fees are made of 10 different items. Slight increases were suggested for the Health Services and athletic fees. In addition, the increase would include pre-approved raises for west-campus improvements and the arena being constructed beyond the residence halls.

The proposed hikes come in contrast to the room-and-board rate, which would stay constant because of a reorganized dining plan for next year. The Residence Hall Association-approved plan would eliminate Dining Dollars, used only for food, and instead encourage the use of the more-versatile Huskie Bucks. However, the weekly amount for use in the cafeterias would drop from $60 to $50 a week.

Graduate and law school students also would see an increase in their university payments. Their bills would increase about 4.5 percent for tuition and 6.2 percent for student fees.

In other finance committee matters, the board recommended spending $1.1 million for artificial turf at Huskie Stadium. If approved by the whole board, it would be in place next season.