Trustees approve 3 percent room and board rate increase for 2018-19
KALAMAZOO, Mich.— Acting at its April 18 meeting, the Western Michigan University Board of Trustees approved a 3 percent increase to campus residence hall room and board rates for the 2018-19 academic year.
Students living in a traditional residence hall and selecting a 15-meal plan option will see an increase of $288 for the full academic year. The annual cost for the room and board package will be $9,894, starting in fall 2018. Complete rates for all residence halls with varying meal plan levels can be found at wmich.edu/housing/info/rates.
The new rates were recommended to provide continued support for educational living environments that are affordable, safe and attractive. The increase will allow the University to tackle deferred maintenance projects and manage rising costs in its campus housing system.
Housing and dining services at WMU
In 2017-18, Western Michigan University operated 22 residence halls, five dining facilities, seven cafés, and five apartment-style complexes. In the fall 2017 semester, 5,421 residents lived on-campus, and 92 percent of degree-seeking, first-time freshmen chose to live in the residence halls.
Changes to campus residential living are slated to begin this spring in the South Neighborhood with the removal of Elmwood Apartments. The complex is being replaced with new student-focused housing offering innovative design features. The new housing, projected to open in 2020, will represent the first stage of the South Neighborhood revitalization. A new student center and dining facility are being planned for 2021.
"This is all about the student experience—making sure that the South Neighborhood offers a truly transformational environment," says Dr. Diane Anderson, vice president for student affairs. "It's more important than ever that we provide a rich student experience on campus, one that is cutting edge, enriching and engaging."
The University is committed, she says, to creating spaces 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 continues to ensure that a varied selection of desirable living options are available at an array of price points.
To find out more about long-term residential planning visit wmich.edu/students/planning.
For more WMU news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.