The Student and Campus Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees approved a 6.5-percent tuition and fee increase Thursday afternoon, in addition to other fees not subject to the 6.5-percent cap.

Effective in 2007, all students will pay an additional $230 to the current price of tuition.

Although the committee approved the tuition and fees increases, the proposal will be presented formally to the full Board of Trustees tomorrow to finalize the decision. Chancellor James L. Oblinger said the committee that worked on the proposal included student representatives.

“[I am] fairly supportive of the $230 increase,” Student Body President Will Quick, said. “The Board of Governors has been very kind in keeping it at 6.5 percent.”

According to Oblinger, the money gained from tuition increase will be allotted to multiple areas. These areas include faculty salary increases, financial aid and “improving quality and access” on campus.

Student Senate President Zach Adams said he felt “quality and access” was a “general term.” Quick said he agreed.

“We feel we could be more detailed in that area,” Quick said.

Oblinger said “improving quality and access” will include funding for library improvements and decreasing class sizes by increasing the number of sections per course.

According to Quick, the N.C. State library received a ranking of 29 from the association of research libraries in 2006, falling two spots from its 2005 ranking of 27. He said the library expects it will continue to fall unless it is provided with additional funding.

“Everybody on this campus recognizes the importance of the library,” Oblinger said.

Adams stressed that in addition to the library, the money needs to be used in areas that will maximize benefits for the student body.

In regards to future tuition increases, Quick noted that 6.5 percent may not always be necessary.

“We don’t want to seek 6.5 percent if we don’t need that much,” Quick said.

Oblinger said there will be an annual assessment to determine tuition increase needs, as opposed to a flat 6.5 percent every year.

Suzanne Gordon, a member of the Student and Campus Affairs Committee, said the cap on tuition increases will help parents plan ahead.

“[Parents will know] at worst case, this is what I will have to pay,” she said.

Fourteen student-fee increases will also be implemented, only six of which fall under the 6.5-percent cap.

Oblinger considered suggestions for specific fee increases from the Student Senate and by the fee-review committee.

He said his personal suggestions only differed from the committee in two areas – funding for Thompson Theater and Intercollegiate Athletics.

While those attending the meeting did not question the $8 fee increase for Thompson Theater improvements, opinions differed on the Chancellor’s proposed $41 for athletics.

The Student Senate proposed a $10 increase.

“Fourty-one dollars is too much to ask in one year when we are not seeing the benefits,” Quick said.

Oblinger said past fee increases have not included intercollegiate athletics, and now it is time to make up for lost time.

“It’s my responsibility to bite the bullet and get us back on track,” he said.

Student athletes, including representatives from the men’s and women’s soccer teams, raised concerns about poor field conditions and the difficulty it causes recruiters. They spoke of the benefits of the new Derr Track, not only for athletes, but for fans that could attend athletic events more easily.

The athletes said that with funding, nicer facilities would increase opportunities to host post-season tournaments.

“Derr Track affects large portion of student body including P.E. classes,” Adams said.

Lee Fowler, director of athletics, said this year would be the last year of indebtness fees for athletics.

“I don’t have a problem with [intercollegiate athletic fees]. Watching the Red and White game in Reynolds, I was really glad we have the RBC center,” Gordon said.

Oblinger compared the University’s student center with those of other North Carolina schools such as Appalachian State and the UNC- Wilmington.

“We need to undertake a major renovation or complete remodel of our student center,” he said. “Now is the time to cast the die and move forward in a deliberate way.”

Oblinger proposed an 8.4-percent increase on fees for student-center operations.

Student-center-operations fees are included in the 6.5-percent cap. However, fees such as intercollegiate athletics and Thompson Theater improvements are not.

Students using financial aid are held harmless for tuition and fee increases inside the cap, meaning those students don’t have to pay the fees subject to the cap.