The Coastal Carolina University Board of Trustees has approved a projected $55.9 million total budget, including a $33.9 million operational budget, for the 2001-2002 fiscal year during its quarterly meeting.

As part of the budget plan, the board approved a tuition increase, effective for fall 2001. In-state tuition will increase $135 per semester, from $1,750 to $1,885, a rise of 7.71 percent. Out-of-state tuition will increase $435 per semester, from $4,905 to $5,340, a rise of 8.87 percent.

The board has also approved an increase in room, board and health service fees. The fee will increase $105 per semester, from $2,620 to $2,725.

In other action:

- The board approved tenure status to the following:

C. Aaron Kelley, incoming dean, E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration; James Luken, incoming chair, Department of Biology; Keith Walters, incoming chair, Department of Marine Science; and Lisa Barboun, assistant professor of foreign languages.

- The board approved emeritus status for the following retiring faculty members:

William Davis, emeritus professor of psychology and sociology; Sandra Bowden, emeritus professor of education; Joseph Pinson, distinguished professor emeritus of biology.

- The board approved the following faculty promotions:

John Beard, to professor of English; Stephen Hamelman, to professor of English; Linda Palm, to professor of psychology/sociology; Emory Helms, to associate professor of teacher education with tenure; Carl Keller, to associate professor of accounting, finance and economics with tenure; Peter Lecouras, to associate professor of English with tenure; and Thomas Secrest, to associate professor of business with tenure.

The next meeting of the board will be held Friday, June 22 at 9 a.m. in the Wall College of Business Board Room.