Room-and-board rates to rise by 3.5 percent for 2016-17
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Acting at its April 21 meeting, the Western Michigan University Board of Trustees approved a 3.5 percent increase in room and board rates for the 2016-17 academic year to provide continued support for educational campus living facilities that are both affordable and attractive.
For a student living in a traditional residence hall and selecting a 15-meal plan, the new rates will translate to an increase of $315 for the full academic year. The annual cost for the room and board package will be $9,326, effective in fall 2016.
Complete rates for all residence halls with varying food-plan levels can be found at wmich.edu/housing/info/rates.
Campus living facilities
A strategic internal planning and budgeting process supports the University commitment to creating environments where students want to live and eat while pursuing their academic and career goals. The strategy has allowed for significant improvements, incentives and discounts for students and families.
In 2015-16, WMU operated 22 residence halls, seven dining facilities, six cafés, and four apartment-style complexes. In the fall 2015 semester, 5,209 residents lived on campus and 93 percent of degree-seeking, first time freshmen chose to live in the residence halls. The 566 apartment-style units operated at 93 percent occupancy during the fall 2015 semester.
Evidence of the long-term planning process that is focused on recruitment and retention is now visible in several residential neighborhoods across campus. The Stadium Drive Apartments are set to re-open this fall after going through a year-long renewal process in the south neighborhood. In fall 2015, the Western Heights residence halls opened in the Center Residential Neighborhood with an innovative housing design that offers privacy options while promoting socialization through purposeful use of community space.
In the Valley Residential Neighborhood, the Valley Dining Center construction project is on schedule to open for fall 2016. The iconic new dining center will offer nine distinctive food venues in a restaurant-like atmosphere with fresh food prepared in front of guests. The facility will be open to all students, faculty, staff and visitors seven days a week.
For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.