The Board of Trustees met in the Illini Union Wednesday to vote on a proposed tuition increase among other matters of business.

The increase passed unanimously and will raise tuition 3.66 percent for incoming students in the 2008-2009 school year. Students will be charged $403 more per semester.

The meeting opened with a moment of silence for the students at Northern Illinois University. The board also marked the 140 year anniversary of the opening of the University in 1868.

In the public comment session Ray Morales, a student at the University, expressed his displeasure about racism at the University and the low numbers of minority students enrolled.

Stephen Kaufman, professor emeritus of cell and developmental biology, expressed his displeasure about the continuance of the Chief at the University. He said his main concerns were with the sale of merchandise with the Chief logo, its use at homecoming, the image in advertising and not returning the regalia.

It is the board’s duty to educate the student body about why the symbol is not being used and to not apologize for its loss, Kaufman said.

“Your silence endangers the institution,” he said.

Other items on the agenda included honoring the student sustainability committee for their work in passing their sustainability referendum in the elections in February. The honored students were introduced by Renee Romano, vice chancellor for student affairs and Chime Asonye, student trustee.

The NCSA Petascale Computing Facility also asked for design approval of their building, which is estimated to cost $47.6 million.

The Global Campus had an update on the state of the program and numbers are lower than expected, said the board. They are working on a marketing strategy to be employed soon that will have television and radio adds in the Chicago area as well as posters on the CTA. The nursing program, which was thought to be a large draw for students has only 3 people enrolled.

The board discussed the possibility of expanding the program to include current students who would be able to take classes over the summer to complete their degree.

Check tomorrow’s edition of the Daily Illini for the full story.

Pamela Nisivaco contributed to this report