(CHAPEL HILL) -- A UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees committee has unanimously passed a proposal to raise tuition by $2,800 over five years.  The increase is aimed at offsetting a budget shortfall for the school.

Provost Bruce Carney told the committee that to this point students had seen few effects of the lack of money. "Now, unfortunately we face the situation where the students are beginning to see effects in the classroom.  They are seeing it in the form of larger classes," said Carney.

The proposal to raise tuition and fees will be reviewed and voted on by the full trustee board on Thursday.