The Coastal Carolina University Board of Trustees unanimously approved a small tuition increase, effective for fall 2007. In-state tuition will increase $50 per semester, from $3,750 to $3,800 per semester, an increase of 1.33 percent. Out-of-state tuition will increase $200 per semester, from $8,095 to $8,295, an increase of 2.5 percent.

Room and board fees will be $3,340 per semester, up from $3,220 last semester, a 3.8 percent increase in housing and a 3.6 percent increase in board fees.

The board elected new officers for the year. William H. "Billy" Alford is chairman, Sam Swad is vice chair and Tommy Stringer is secretary-treasurer.

The board-appointed Audit Committee, chaired by trustee Clark Parker, made a series of recommendations to the board, including a discretionary spending policy that was approved by the board. Other recommendations include the individual review of leases and contracts with a board committee, and a policy prohibiting board members from serving on other university foundations or boards.

In other action, the board approved tenure for Robert Sheehan, incoming provost and vice president of academic affairs.

A resolution was passed honoring retiring board member Fred DuBard of Florence, who was named trustee emeritus. Resolutions were also passed recognizing trustee Robert "Duke" Brown and the late trustee H. Franklin Burroughs for their leadership in establishing Coastal's football program. A resolution also recognized the Horry and Georgetown Legislative Delegations for their roles in securing state funding for the university.

New CCU board chairman Alford, president of A & I Fire Restoration, is a 1977 Coastal graduate. He has been chairman of the S.C. Highway Commission and the Grand Strand Regional Medical Center's Board of Trustees. Alford has also been recognized as Coastal's 1992 Alumnus of the Year, Myrtle Beach Citizen of the Year and The Sun News Honor Volunteer. Alford has served on the Coastal Educational Foundation since 2000 and on Coastal's board of trustees since 2005.

Vice-chair Swad is a family physician practicing in Gaffney. He graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and received a bachelor's degree from Coastal.

Secretary-treasurer Stringer is the principal shareholder of Stringer & Company Inc. Pension Services, a consulting and administration firm specializing in the design and implementation of qualified retirement plans. He lives in Greenville.