But in a world where more and more students each year are embarking toward Spartan country, the simple dynamic of supply and demand has taken over. And really, when it comes down to it, this increase comes as another drop in the bucket for those students who have paid thousands in tuition already.

The other major piece passed by the board amounts to a $24.5 million renovation plan for Spartan Stadium and Munn Ice Arena. These upgrades will include renovations to player locker rooms, which MSU president Lou Anna K. Simon described as being, “almost uninhabitable.”

Although many will be quick to jump to the assumption that the newly raised funds from tuition hikes are going toward the renovation, it’s important to note the general funds raised from tuition will not go toward these renovations.

Some might argue MSU simply is getting into a keeping up with the Jones’-esque scenario with other Big Ten universities, as the football program bares the weight of the athletics department. Without the countless bobbleheads, T-shirts and seat covers, many other less-attended sports might face economic constraints. And several changes, including the addition of a media room, come as welcome changes to the aging Spartan Stadium. Just as Dantonio brings about improvements on the field, the university seeks to help bring recruits and seat fans to watch them do well.

While not technically on the agenda, discussions of ASMSU took up a considerable amount of time during the meeting. As ASMSU members and loyalists sought to demonstrate their support by wearing T-shirts and crowding the chamber, representatives from MSU’s student government faced stiff reprimands from trustees, after interrupting members during proceedings.

ASMSU has had a rough last few months, with cancelled concerts, under-attended carnivals and most recently having funds pulled by the university over issues with keeping funds off campus.

Michael Mozina, ASMSU’s vice president for student funding, stood before the board and opined how the loss of MSU’s student government voice negatively would impact the lives of students across campus. However, board members were quick to point out ASMSU President Evan Martinak was not in attendance, and had failed to meet with trustees in advance to discuss the problems.

In these last desperate days before ASMSU’s deadline to move the remainder of their funds back onto campus, images of desperate animals with their backs against the walls come to mind. With all-caps messages on their website and T-shirt-clad supports, one must wonder if ASMSU will collapse all under the guise of keeping to their principles.