EUGENE, Ore. -- The University of Oregon Board of Trustees is expected to vote on an in-state tuition increase for undergraduate students Thursday morning, and students and staff plan to make their voices heard.

In a letter to UO community members, President Michael Schill said he is recommending a top rate of 9.68 percent. That would mean a $21 dollar increase per credit hour.

Tuition and fees for in-state undergraduate students are estimated at $12,825 for 45 credits during the 2019-2020 academic year, according to the university’s website.

The move comes as university officials said they are working to balance their budget and get more funding for higher education from the state.

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Senior Andy Alfonso said he recently traveled to Salem with other students and President Shill to speak with lawmakers to close the funding gap.

"It frightens me because my future children ... what do I tell them? What can I do, you know? I don't know what to say," Alfonso said.

The meeting is set to take place at 9:30 a.m. at the Ford Alumni Center. Organizers with the Campus Labor Council, which represents students and workers at the university, plan to submit a letter that expresses their concerns to the board and then hold a rally at the EMU.

The university is also proposing $11.5 million in budget cuts. Bob Bussel, the director for the on-campus Labor Education and Research Center, said 68 percent of the funding they get through the UO is on the chopping block.

"We hope to let the trustees know that there is a broad campus concern about these issues," Bussell said.

The rally is set to start at 12:30 p.m.