Penn State students seeking on-campus housing for the 2007-2008 school year will find out today how much cash they'll need.

The Penn State Board of Trustees will hold an open meeting today at 8:30 a.m. in the boardroom of the Nittany Lion Inn to give its stamp of approval to next year's room and board rates.

The board has approved steady increases in room and board rates in recent years, but it is unclear what number will be unveiled today.

"I'm not sure what is being presented to [the board]," said Penn State spokesman Geoff Rushton. "That's something to be put before the board first."

Gail Hurley, associate vice president of auxiliary and business services, will present the rates to the board for their approval. She could not be reached for comment by press time yesterday.

The process for assigning students to residence halls for next fall will begin on Nov. 30, when students can request a housing contract online, said John Hurst, interim associate director of residence life.

In expectation of high demand for on-campus housing, Hurst said he has been advising students to consider all their options, including finding an apartment off campus.

"Everybody hopes that they get a contract," Hurst said. "But there's probably more people that are going to be looking for a room on campus than what's going to be available in the online contract system."

Other items on the board's agenda include a panel discussion about law enforcement and student safety on Penn State's campuses, a report on enrollment management and a slideshow of the university's current construction projects.

The board will also consider the appointment of Henry Foley as dean of the College of Information Sciences and Technology. Foley began serving as the college's interim dean on July 1, when Jim Thomas became dean of the Smeal College of Business.