WMU Trustees OK 3 percent increase for 2017-18 room and board rates

Contact: Cheryl Roland and Nancy Meister

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Acting at its April 27 meeting, the Western Michigan University Board of Trustees approved a 3 percent increase in room and board rates for the 2017-18 academic year.

The new rates will mean an increase of $280 for the full academic year for a student living in a traditional residence hall and selecting a 15-meal plan. The annual cost for the room and board package will be $9,606 starting fall 2017. Complete rates for all residence halls with varying food-plan levels can be found at wmich.edu/housing/info/rates.

The new rates will provide continued support for educational living environments that are affordable, safe and attractive, said Vice President for Student Affairs Diane Anderson in presenting the recommended increase to the board. The move keeps WMU's housing among the state's most affordable. WMU rates are projected to be ninth in the state out of 15 public universities.

In 2016-17, Western Michigan University operated 22 residence halls, five dining facilities, seven cafés, and five apartment-style complexes. In the fall 2016 semester, 5,129 residents lived on-campus, and 90 percent of degree-seeking, first-time freshmen chose to live in the residence halls. 

Recent efforts aimed at ongoing improvements to living areas is apparent in residential neighborhoods across campus. In the Valley Neighborhood, the popular new Valley Dining Center began serving students and the campus community in 2016. Open to all students, faculty, staff and visitors, the iconic new dining center offers nine distinctive food venues in a restaurant-like atmosphere.

In 2015, the Western Heights residence halls opened in the Center Neighborhood with an innovative housing design that offers privacy while promoting socialization through purposeful use of community space. Recent campus housing improvements also included major updates to the Stadium Drive Apartments in 2016.

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.

For more information about long-term residential planning, visit wmich.edu/students/planning

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.