Students living in residence halls next year may have to pay a little more for free Ethernet connections, community bathrooms and daily meals courtesy of the cafeteria, but they shouldn’t complain much.
On Friday, the MSU Board of Trustees is expected to raise the cost of living in the residence halls for the 11th straight year. Dorm residents can expect to see a $254 increase for the academic year - a 5.4 percent jump from the 2001-02 school year.
The price of living in University Apartments could increase by 6 percent, which is on average $29.25 more per month.
The increases are understandable - particularly those that deal with on-campus housing. The added costs are just a slice of the pie that goes along with keeping university residence halls modern and beneficial to their residents.
The recommendations from University Housing will cover costs of utilities, groundskeeping, labor and food costs, said Charles Gagliano, assistant vice president for Housing and Food Services. The rate increase will also compensate for the six-year, $11 million Ethernet installation project in the residence halls.
While these are all necessary to keep the dorms and University Apartments up and running, officials should also remember most college students have tight pockets - any increase could be detrimental. With tuition hikes already in place, the increase in the costs of dorm living only will serve as a double whammy for those students residing in the dorms.
Despite the proposed increase, it should be remembered that MSU has managed to keep a pretty good track record when it comes to cost increases in on-campus housing. Housing costs at MSU are still the lowest in the state and the Big Ten at $4,932 per semester.
Last year’s on-campus housing increase was 4.6 percent.
But since this is not the first time dorm residents have seen the cost of living go up, officials should be sure that changes and improvements are being made for those living in residence halls and University Apartments.
We trust the board will consider cost restraints as it has in the past to make its financial decision. The leaders should take pride in the fact MSU has the cheapest on-campus housing rates in the Big Ten.
Keep it that way.
