ATLANTA --- A new fee of up to $100 a semester for Georgia college students passed the Board of Regents on Wednesday despite objections from students that University System of Georgia officials neglected to keep them informed about the possible change.

The new charge, along with an increase in the portion of health care costs shouldered by system employees, is aimed at helping the network of 35 colleges and universities deal with budget cuts of 8 or 10 percent expected shortly after the General Assembly convenes in January.

"These are unusual and extraordinary times," board Chairman Richard Tucker said during the teleconference held to approve the moves. "Nobody wanted to take these actions. ...We recognize the burden this puts on many, many people. This is not being done lightly."

Students at two- and four-year colleges will pay $50 a semester; students at four-year universities will pay $75 a semester; and those at research institutions including the University of Georgia and the Medical College of Georgia, will pay $100 a semester.

But student leaders from the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech who visited system offices in Atlanta protested the board's decision to waive a policy requiring consultation with a panel of students before increasing fees.

In a tense meeting with system officials after the board meeting, student leaders said they were frustrated that regents decided to bypass the policy.

"Right now, we've been slighted," said Christie Haynes, chairwoman of the UGA student government's external affairs committee. "We've been cut out of the process."

Officials at the meeting worked to assure the students that the fee would only be temporary and the policy override was required by the quick deterioration in the state's economic outlook.

"All of these things are unprecedented and happened very, very quickly," said Tonya Lam, associate vice chancellor for student affairs.

Students seemed largely unsatisfied after the meeting.

"The break from the precedent that has been set ... I think is worrying, and we need to have student input," said Nick Wellkamp, student body president at Georgia Tech.

The health care change approved by regents will boost from 25 to 30 percent the share of health plans that employees must pay. For example, a family using the system's HMO plan will pay $302.04, up from $251.70.

Reach Brandon Larrabee at (678) 977-3709 or brandon.larrabee@morris.com.