Last modified: Friday, April 6, 2007
IU trustees approve increase for most room and board packages
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 6, 2007
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Indiana University Trustees today (April 6) approved a 5.03 percent increase for most room and board packages in IU Bloomington residence halls for 2006-07.
The action came during the trustees' regularly scheduled business meeting at the Indiana University South Bend campus.
The increase covers the Enhanced Amenities (air-conditioned, two-bed room) and Meal Plan C rate, which is the most prevalent room and board rate in the campus housing system. The rate will go from $6,356 this year to $6,676 in the 2007-08 year.
Pat Connor, executive director of Residential Programs and Services, said the housing rate increase is a result of increased operating and utility costs. Overall, the increase is a blend of a 9 percent increase in the room portion of the cost and a 1 percent increase in the board portion.
Among Big Ten Conference universities, IU's room and board rate this year was ninth lowest, and Connor said he anticipates the university will remain at that standing next year.
The room portion includes a new cost for utility charges which are now passed through to RPS rather than being paid by the university general fund.
RPS has been directed to include utility charges in its expenditure budget. This commitment will be phased in over the next three years and is expected to amount to more than $7 million by fiscal year 2010.
Rates for university-operated apartment housing will go up 8.3 percent next fall, partly because of the new utility charge.
Connor said that despite the 8.3 percent increase, he expects apartment rates to remain competitive with commercial properties in Bloomington. The fee for an efficiency unit at University Apartments will go from $564 a month to $611 a month. A three-bedroom apartment at Tulip Tree House will go from $933 a month to $1,010.
