Students living in university housing will see a 5.25 percent increase in room and board rates for 2009-10, as approved by the MSU Board of Trustees on Friday.
MSU has one of the lowest rates in the Big Ten, with the University of Minnesota, University of Iowa and University of Wisconsin having lower rates.
Students will now have to pay $7,395 to live in a residence hall, an increase of $369 from the 2008-09 year. This rate is for a double room and an unlimited meal plan.
Vennie Gore, assistant vice president of the Division of Housing and Food Services, said rising utility and food costs contributed to the increase.
“We’re indeed a very good value in the state of Michigan,” Gore said during the meeting. “In our proposal we’re on the lower end of the spectrum for what our costs are.”
Gore also said more students are eating at the dorms on the weekends instead of going out as money gets tighter.
The board also discussed a possible tuition increase of 4 to 5 percent for next year.
President Lou Anna K. Simon said during the meeting the university also is looking at “a very aggressive financial aid package” at about 15 percent.
“(We) try to be as attentive as possible and as sensitive to the economic circumstances of our students,” she said during the meeting.
The board is considering meeting May 26 to further discuss the university budget.
Posted 1:02 p.m.
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