Oakland University\'s board of trustees on Thursday approved a 9.53 percent tuition increase, bringing the tuition and fees for an incoming freshman to $6,122.75 annually, up from $5,590 the previous year. The board had considered a 15.2 percent increase that would have rolled fees into tuition, bringing the annual bill to $6,439, but trustees rejected it because they felt it was too high. \"I wasn\'t going to go 15 percent. These kids can\'t afford it,\" said Trustee Henry Baskins. \"The trustees were unanimous in wanting to hold the line as low as possible.\" Students said they were happy the board chose to go with the lower increase, but said it still puts a burden on them.