At its meeting today, the Coastal Carolina University board of trustees approved a tuition increase of 3 percent for in-state and out-of-state undergraduate and graduate students, effective for the 2018-2019 academic year.

Housing fees will not increase for the next fiscal year or in the foreseeable future as a result of the property refinance plan initiated in 2014. Some meal plan rates will increase from 1.3 percent to 1.7 percent per semester, depending on the plan, in order to cover increased food and labor costs and to provide additional services. One plan option will remain at the same price as last year.

"Since our housing fees remain the same, the net increase is 1.62 percent for in-state students and a 2.19 percent increase for out-of-state students who live on campus and who choose the meal plan option that remains constant," said Ralph Byington, provost and executive vice president.

Aramark, the University's contracted food service provider, is the recipient of the meal plan fees.

The board took time during the meeting to honor and recognize several individuals and groups, including the men's and women's golf teams. Both teams recently won Sun Belt championships and are preparing for NCAA tournament play. Morgan Deenan from the men's golf team and Malene Hansen from the women's golf team both won the individual Sun Belt championships, and both teams were recognized for academic achievement within the conference.

The board also recognized the service of Pat Singleton-Young, director of multicultural student services, who is retiring after 38 years at the University. She was presented with a commemorative CINO pin, and a motion was made and approved to name one of the residence halls in her honor. Singleton-Young earned her degree in psychology from Coastal when it was a branch campus of the University of South Carolina in 1975 and her master's degree in counselor education in 1978. As Chief of Staff Travis Overton said during the meeting, Singleton-Young's "impact on the University has been far-reaching, and she has touched the lives of countless students." Trustee Delan Stevens '79, echoed those sentiments, sharing that he was one of those students "Ms. Pat" impacted in such a positive way.

"All the years I've been here," Singleton-Young said, "my main focus has always been the students."

Trustee Samuel Frink was designated trustee emeritus upon the announcement of Frink's retirement from the board. Frink has been a board member since 2003 and is the retired president of Conway Ford Inc. and Grand Strand Nissan.

"It has been a pleasure, a learning experience, and a real joy to be affiliated with this campus," Frink said. "I am forever grateful for this University."

Two new bachelor's degree programs were approved. The Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in University Studies is designed to expand the present interdisciplinary studies degree by providing a more flexible path to degree completion for many South Carolina residents who already have college credits.

The Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies will offer two concentrations: Religion in Public Life, which examines the role of religion (past and present) in the public sphere, and Textual Studies, which focuses on the study of sacred texts from the religions of the world. Degree programs must be approved by the South Carolina Higher Education Commission and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) before being officially added to the University curriculum.

A new international student fee of $60 per semester was approved. The fee will help provide quality support services to the growing population of international students at CCU. Five new lab fees ranging from $30 to $55 per semester were approved.

The board also approved a new transportation fee of $50 per semester for any student taking at least one on-campus course. The fee will support CCU's 24-hour shuttle service, which averages more than 500,000 rides each academic year. The board also approved a $350,000 discretionary fund for CCU President David DeCenzo for fiscal year 2018-2019. The fund allows the president to pursue opportunities to promote the University and to raise funds for the institution. Eight lease agreements or renewals were also approved by the board at the meeting.

Prior to adjournment, the board recognized a moment of silence to honor the passing of Lynn Stevens '81, the wife of board member Delan Stevens. Lynn Stevens passed away on April 7 after a prolonged illness. Board member D. Wyatt Henderson spoke these words in memory of her service to the University and the community: "Lynn Stevens was a good person. She loved the Lord. She gave selflessly to her church, she gave selflessly to her community, and she gave selflessly to this University. The world is a worse place without her in it."

Additional content:

Pat Singleton-Young: A Coastal Career.

Delan and Lynn Stevens Tennis Complex dedicated at CCU.

Twice as nice: CCU women's golf team wins Sun Belt Academic Championship, too.

Coastal men's golf wins Sun Belt Golf Championship.

Note: This story was updated on May 5 to correct the net increase for out-of-state students from 2.9 percent to 2.19 percent. It was updated on May 23 to clarify Pat Singleton-Young's degrees were earned from Coastal when it was a branch campus of the University of South Carolina.