Room and board to increase for 2011-2012 year, other adjustments to be announced at Thursday board of trustees meeting
Increases of room and board rates for the 2011-12 year will be a main topic at Thursday’s Central Michigan University Board of Trustees meeting.
There will be a 1.5 percent increase in standard rooms from 2010-2011 to 2011-2012, with rates changing from $8,092 to $8,212. Despite this increase, Shaun Holtgreive, associate director of Residence Life, said rates were kept as low as they could.
“With energy and food costs being the way they are, there has to be an increase,” Holtgreive said.
Room and board rates for Campbell, Kesseler, Kulhavi, Celani and Fabiano halls will increase by 1.5 percent, but Robinson will not see a rise in costs.
"Room rates in Robinson will actually decrease by 1 percent to reflect a reduction in the premium adjustment charged for the rooms in Robinson," said Steve Smith, director of Public Relations, in an emailed statement. "The increase in room and board rates reflects increased employee compensation, food and supply costs for the residence halls."
The meeting agenda said, “These recommendations are based upon a comprehensive review of residences and dining service operations and budgets. This amount will meet anticipated operational costs and allow for continuation of contributions to the university for general fund subsidies, overhead, capital budget, deferred maintenance, and debt service. It will also provide for modest funding of annual maintenance, renovation, and replacement of furniture and equipment.”
Holtgreive said the heightened costs will probably not affect the number of students living in residence halls. Food and energy costs are going up at apartments too, but those costs are not incorporated into residence hall living so there had to be an increase, he said.
The cost of food will increase by 4 percent.
In addition to the room and board increase, staff wages will increase an average of 2 percent, and staff benefits will increase by 5 percent.
Other business There also will be a raise in the doctoral, specialist and masters tuition rates of 2.5 percent.
No progress was given concerning negotiations between CMU and Lodgco Hospitality LLC regarding the hotel to be built east of Kelly/Shorts Stadium. At the February meeting, board members said they hoped to have an update by Thursday.
David Burdette, vice president of Finance and Administrative Services, referred questions to Smith when reached for comment.
"Lodgco is not on the agenda for the April meeting," Smith said, and did not elaborate further.
