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Last updated on Friday, April 13, 2012
(BLOOMINGTON) - What started as a peaceful protest at Indiana University’s trustee meeting on Thursday turned into a demonstrative disruption.
IU students voiced their discontent about a tuition spike scheduled for next year and the group said it wanted the trustee board to hear its objections.
Students objected to a 3.5 percent tuition increase plus a $90 fee per semester for building maintenance.
"The hike is bad enough, but fees have increased 45 percent over that last five years and it's too much, too fast," student Nick Grevan said.
According to school policy, the trustee meetings are closed to public comments.
But once inside the meeting, students' cellphones began ringing, signaling protestors to exercise their right to free speech.
Despite the disruption, board members didn't acknowledge protestors, so demonstrators took to the floor to express their opinion in unison.
Eventually, the board's only student member agreed to speak with protestors, but at a later date.
"We will work to find ways for students to be heard. So we'll take this advantage to contact the students and arrange some meetings and conversations so they can get whatever grievances they have on the table," said Dean of Students Pete Goldsmith.
IU police said no arrests were made during the protest.
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