Room and board costs to increase

IU trustees approved a plan Friday to raise room and board costs by 5 percent for the 2007-08 academic year, during a business meeting at IU-South Bend. \nWhen implemented next year, the increase will be a blend of a 9 percent jump in housing fees and a 1 percent increase in dining fees, according to an IU news release. For students living in a double room and subscribing to the most common meal plan, Meal Plan C, their fees will jump from $6,356 to $6,676 per academic year, according to the news release. \nIt is not unusual for residence hall fees to slightly increase each year to compensate for inflation or the rising costs of living. \nAmong Big Ten schools, IU ranked the ninth lowest for on-campus living, said Pat Connor, executive director of Residential Programs and Services. He said he expects that ranking to remain the same despite the increase this year, according to the release. \nThe decision to raise costs was made with significant student input, IU trustee Sue Talbot said. She said the rise in cost was part of a five-year plan between the University and RPS, which would transfer utilities’ payments from the University to RPS. \nTalbot agreed the vote to increase residence halls fees was in-line with president-elect Michael McRobbie’s intentions. Immediately upon his confirmation last month, McRobbie said one thing he would consider – with assistance from students – was the improvement of the University’s residence halls. \nMcRobbie, the interim provost, was confirmed March 1 as IU’s next president. He will begin his tenure July 1, when current IU President Adam Herbert is slated to step down. \nAfter his unanimous confirmation by the trustees, McRobbie said he saw a need to improve some of the University’s aging residence halls. Still, he said the fate of these improvements would likely be left to what student committees deemed necessary.