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Room and board rates increase by 2.9 percentApril 24, 2009 KALAMAZOO--Acting at their meeting today, members of the Western Michigan University Board of Trustees approved a 2.9 percent increase to both residence hall room-and-board rates and campus apartment rental rates for the 2009-10 academic year. The new residence hall rates will not affect students who are currently living in campus residence halls. Two years ago, as part of WMU's Western Edge compact with students, the University pledged to freeze room-and-board rates for up to four consecutive years for students who choose to remain in the residence hall system. The rates approved by the board today will be in effect for students new to the residence halls in 2009-10, but those students also will have their entering-year rates frozen for up to four years if they opt to continue living in the hall system. "For the past two years, we've been able to offer our students the social and academic benefits of remaining on campus and also having the security of knowing exactly what their rates will be for all four years," says Dr. Diane Anderson, vice president for student affairs. She noted that in 2008-09, the total savings to students and families who took advantage of having their previous year's rates frozen because of the Western Edge commitment amounted to $315,818. Savings estimates for the 2009-10 year are pegged at about $480,000. The new rates mean that a student living in a campus residence hall and subscribing to the mid-level 15-meal plan will pay $7,591 for the academic year--up $214 over last year's rate. Students opting for the 10- or 20-meal plans will pay $7,146 or $7,784, respectively. The rate changes will take effect at the start of the fall 2009 semester. The trustees' move also means the rental for 361 on-campus apartments will increase by 2.9 percent. Beginning this fall, apartment rental rates will range from $563 to $826 monthly, depending on location and size and whether or not the units are furnished. The rate change means, for instance, a two-bedroom furnished Stadium Drive apartment will cost $702 per month, an increase of $20 monthly. WMU operates 20 residence halls, five full-service dining facilities, six cash dining operations and three apartment complexes. A variety of living and dining options are available, such as option for full room and board, a room only, a meal plan only, single and double rooms, and academic-themed housing. The University's residence hall system includes halls for men and women only as well as halls that are coed by floor or suite. Approximately 21 percent of students taking classes on the Kalamazoo campus opt to live in WMU housing. About 91 percent of those living in campus residence halls are freshmen or sophomores. The residence hall capacity is just under 6,000. Media contact: Cheryl Roland, (269) 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu WMU News |
