STORRS — University of Connecticut trustees have voted unanimously to approve a 6 percent increase in tuition and fees starting next fall.

The measure approved Monday by a voice vote will increase tuition and fees between 6 and 6.75 percent annually over the next four years.

UConn President Susan Herbst says the increases will help hire 290 new professors over four years, making classes more available for students. Many undergraduates have needed to stay extra semesters or commute to branch campuses because mandatory courses were filled at Storrs.

Room and board will also increase by 3 percent next fall under the proposal. The combination of increases will make UConn's overall cost rise between 4.2 and 4.6 percent each year.