The Board of Trustees met May 28, and approved next year’s budget of $470,264,007, along with the following actions:

The establishment of a dual master’s degree program in language translation and business administration. The program, effective Fall 2009, will be the first dual-degree of its kind in the nation.

An increase of special fees for art classes, nursing courses, technology courses, flight training and instruction to students working on dissertations because of the rising cost of materials.

Approval of a one-year extension and modifications in the collective-bargaining agreement between the university and the non-tenure track faculty. The agreement gives a three-percent increase in base salaries and, for the first time, offers domestic partner benefits for opposite-sex and same-sex couples. It extends by one year the three-year contract set to expire August 16, 2008.

Authorized the senior vice president for administration to enter into a 15-year agreement with East Ohio Gas Company to permit the construction of a natural gas pipeline to the Health and Science Building at Kent State Ashtabula.

Established a policy allowing two one-year extensions of the standard probationary period for tenure-track faculty for personal or family reasons.

Elected the following officers: Patrick Mullin, chair; Brian Tucker, vice chair; and Jacqueline Woods, secretary.

Contact principal reporter Ben Wolford at [email protected].