Northern Star DeKALB – Starting Fall 2021 room and board fees at the university will increase 2%, approximately $100, per semester following the approval by the Board of Trustees at Thursday’s meeting. Each year, the university brings forward to the Board of Trustees three pricing recommendations related to student fees, room and board fees and tuition. NIU President Lisa Freeman said tuition was not brought forward because of the “continued uncertainty related to our fiscal 22 state appropriation and the magnitude and scope of federal COVID relief.” Freeman said the increases to room and board fees are necessary to address the increased costs of expenses such as contractual services, software support and general operating expenses.