A room and board rate increase will be among the topics discussed by the University Board of Trustees in Hershey today and tomorrow.

Student Trustee E. J. Shaffer said that although he can't estimate a figure, recent budget cuts won't affect the amount.

"Because it's its own little business, so to speak, they normally don't rely on those funds," Shaffer said.

Since no tuition or state funds are used, recent budget cuts don't factor in, Shaffer said.

Ken Martin, Graduate Student Association treasurer, said room and board rate increases usually parallel inflation rates.

"In the past few years they have tried to keep it about equal to inflation," Martin said.

Last year the increase was 4.7 percent -- about $160 more than the year before.

New deans may be announced, Martin said, including a permanent replacement for John Brighton, who left the position of dean of the College of Engineering last summer.

Carl Wolgemuth is currently the acting dean of the College of Engineering.

Martin also said the University may announce a deal between Pepsico Inc. and the University regarding the sale of vending services.

"That I still think is a possibility," Martin said.

Other committee meetings include the Committee on Finance, the Special Advisory Committee on Affirmative Action, the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Advisory Committee, the Committee on Educational Policy and the Committee on Physical Plant.