Board of Trustees talk residence hall costs, construction

The IU Board of Trustees discussed increasing residence hall rates, among other topics, during its Thursday meeting at IU-Purdue University Indianapolis’s Campus Center. The Finance and Audit Committee, Facilities Committee and External Relations Committee facilitated open discussions and an executive session took place behind closed doors.

“You have a room situation where the cost of the dorms at the universities is going up and we’re renovating and borrowing as we go,” said Thomas Reilly, chair of the Finance and Audit Committee.

According to the Residential Programs and Services website, residence hall rates for 2013-14 will not be available until spring of 2013.

“They’re requesting to raise the rates,” Reilly said.

The trustees will also consider whether to replace the roof of the School of Public Health, as well as some mechanical systems in the School of Optometry. If approved, these projects at IU-Bloomington would be added to the ongoing construction of the Jacobs School of Music Studio Building, which is costing $44,000,000.

As to whether or not faculty, staff and students should be worried about the School of Public Health’s roof, Philip Eskew, chair of the Facilities Committee,said, “VP Morrison has everything under control.”

Although not on the official agenda, the trustees also discussed the possible state legislation that would penalize universities that allow students to enroll in less than 15 credit hours.

“When one looks at student debt, those most severely affected are those who either do not graduate or those who take very long to graduate,” William Cast, chairman of the IU Board of Trustees, said. “Efforts of many kinds are being considered to make the best use of time while enrolled and to promote graduation in three or four years. In my view, a student is penalized in less obvious ways by taking light loads.”

Reilly denounced the possible legislation.

“I’m not pleased with this line of thinking that the state has come up with,” Reilly said. “I don’t think the state should be sticking their neck in and the University should do something about it.”

Reilly brought up whether or not universities, including IU-Bloomington, will have room for every student to take 15 or more credit hours.

The findings of an analysis of classroom utilization on Fridays, which Riley pushed for, will be discussed at Friday’s Academic Affairs and University Policies Committee meeting.

“Is the four-day week appropriate?” Reilly said. “Why is there a four-day week? Does it facilitate education? Does it facilitate faculty to do research? That’s why I asked the question. You can shoot a canon through the classrooms on Fridays.”

However, Reilly said there are differences between decision makers and the student body that may partially affect the views of those in the administration.

“There’s a generation gap here,” Reilly said. “Any board member over 50 went to class on Saturdays as well as during the week.”