By Carly Maitlen
Entertainment Editor

Student fees are going up again, this time 4 percent. The Board of Trustees voted for the increase at Friday's meeting, a proposal that will increase fees for in-state student by $148 and out-of-state students by $556.

Executive vice president and treasurer Ken Burns said the fees are enrollment driven. The result of the recent increase in the number of students on campus has been a need for more equipment and class sections, which both require money.

The other motive is the need to ensure the quality of a Purdue education. Burns said the increase allows Purdue to remain an excellent value for all students. For the 1999-2000 school year, only Iowa has a lower in-state student fee among the Big Ten schools. Purdue ranks fourth lowest in fees charged to out-of-state students. Burns said he did not foresee the increase having an impact on these rankings.

The basic fees for a student who is an Indiana resident at the Purdue University West Lafayette campus will be $3,772. For an out-of-state student, the total will be $12, 804.

The Board also approved the finance committee recommendation for the technology fee paid by West Lafayette students to remain at $100 a year. The technology fee for students enrolled in the Schools of Engineering on the West Lafayette campus will be increased by $16.

Now that the Board has decided on student fee rates, it will take final action on the budget at its next meeting, which is scheduled for June 1. Purdue's West Lafayette general budget was $478 million in 1999-2000 and is expected to reach $500.6 million for 2000-2001.

The Board also approved a renovation plan for the Union Club as well as a 10-year capital plan improvement for future construction.

Mid-States General and Mechanical Contracting Corporation of Lafayette will handle the $9.5 million renovation of the north wing of the Union Club hotel, which was originally built in 1953. The contract still requires Indiana State Budget Agency approval and calls for a complete upgrade of the heating and air conditioning systems, electrical and plumbing systems, elevators, windows and fire detection equipment. A new coin-operated laundry and exercise facility will be added for guests and a new service elevator will be installed. The renovation will begin under way immediately following May commencement exercises. The north wing will reopen in January 2002. Accommodations will be available in the south wing of the Union Club and in 90 specifically redesigned rooms in the Young Graduate House while the renovations are being done.

The 10-year capital plan will be submitted to the Indiana General Assembly before the start of the 2001 legislative sessions when lawmakers will set the two-year state budget. The plan calls for a number of projects to be done in the next three years:

• Engineering building and chiller plant, $57 million.

• Computer sciences building phase I, $13 million (plus $7 million in gift funds).

• Equipment and furnishings for the new Visual and Performing Arts Center, $3.5 million

• Boiler life extension and utilities system expansion, $2.6 million.

• Swine facility, $5 million (plus $2 million in endowment earnings).

• Ross-Ade Stadium renovation, $55 million.

• Krannert School of Management addition, $38.5 million

• Nanoscale technology center, $37 million.

• Chemical Engineering Building addition, $15 million.

• Engineering research facility, $15 million.

• Entomology Hall renovation and expansion, $12 million.

• Forestry and natural resources facility, $10 million.

• Construction technology building, $3.5 million.