Board members voted to uphold UNC-System President Thomas Ross's recommendation of an average tuition and fees increase of 8.8 percent across the system.

That means resident undergraduate students at Appalachian State University will be paying another $506.26 next year, raising tuition to $5,962.

Board members, student representatives and protesters filled the Spangler Center on the campus of UNC Chapel Hill.

Association of Student Governments President Atul Bhula said the building was filled past its 110-person capacity, and that many protesters stayed outside – some banging on the walls while others chanted slogans.

Protesters were also inside the meeting room.

"Outside was really where they were at, but inside the meeting room they were very respectful for the board and Chairman [Hannah] Gage and President Ross – they wanted to give them the opportunity to be heard as well," Bhula said. "We didn't kick them out or anything like that. We listened. We made accommodations for them."

Overall, Bhula said though most of the chanting was focused at tuition increases, much of what the protesters communicated surpassed tuition and fee increases.

"It seemed like the overall economy is what they're looking to voice their opinions about and how to help the overall economy ultimately," he said. "I think that they should take that same energy to the General Assembly to express their opinions about how the university is very vital to North Carolina and to our country."

ASG officially backed Ross's recommendation earlier this month, and Bhula said he was content with the outcome.

"I like President Ross's proposal, especially in comparison to the proposals we saw from campuses, but I think that, moving forward, we really need to look at the overall budget for universities."

Student Body President Lauren Estes described the meeting environment as "incredibly tense" because of the large student presence outside and the noise of the protesters, but said she was proud of students for making their voices heard.

"They were really, really organized," she said. "They did a great job."

Estes said there was a large police presence at the meeting, and that police escorted her and other representatives out at the meeting's conclusion.

Andrew Payne, an N.C. State alumnus and onetime ASG president, was arrested during the protest.

Story: HANK SHELL, News Editor