The protesters, from UNC-CH and other UNC-system schools, including N.C. State and Appalachian State universities, gathered at 9:30 a.m. at the Old Well.
Snacking on doughnuts, the protesters chatted while attempting to attract students on their way to class to join them. Many held up large posters to the television cameras that gathered at the scene, and a honk from a passing truck inspired cheers from the crowd.
Student Body Vice President Rudy Kleysteuber held up a megaphone, trying to rally the group as he called on the N.C. General Assembly to provide greater funding for UNC-system schools. Kleysteuber said the state previously paid about half of every student's costs and now only pays one-third.
"Why is it that the General Assembly won't raise funding?" Kleysteuber asked. "Even our $2,000 ain't gonna do squat."
Frances Ferris, student government external relations committee chairwoman, also spoke as the students gathered at the Old Well, naming things a college student could afford with $400, such as food or a car payment.
Senior Bharath Parthasarathy, an organizer of Thursday's protest, said he thought it was important for the trustees to hear the student perspective. He said the process of instituting a tuition increase had been done without enough student input. "Adequate student voice was not asked for and not examined," Parthasarathy said.
Among the protesters were five of the seven official candidates for student body president: Jen Daum, Fred Hashagen, Bennett Mason, Will McKinney and Brad Overcash.
Many protesters wore red and green arm bands and small signs that read, "Locked out of College?"
At 9:45, the students marched to Morehead Building, chanting, "What do we want? Access. When do we want it? Now!"
University police Capt. Mark McIntyre met the students at the building's entrance and explained that only five students would be admitted to the Morehead Faculty Lounge at a time because they were trying to not disturb the trustees meeting, which was already under way.
While waiting, senior Kristi Booker energized the crowd. She told a story of a friend who had to drop out before this semester because she could no longer afford tuition. "We're moving in the wrong direction," she said.
Eventually, the about 30 remaining student protesters were allowed into the meeting. The students sat quietly, some holding signs, and most left before the final vote was taken. Of the student body president candidates, only Mason, McKinney and Overcash were present for the meeting's entirety.
The BOT voted to recommend a $400, one-year tuition increase to the UNC-system Board of Governors, which will act on tuition in March.
McIntyre commended the students for not disrupting the meeting. "They've done good while they've been in here."
Kleysteuber said he was satisfied with Thursday's protest. "I think we made the student presence felt," he said, adding that he and other student government leaders will begin today to plan protests for the BOG meeting.
While disappointed, Kleysteuber said he was not surprised by Thursday's vote.
"It wasn't like we didn't see it coming."
The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.
