On Friday, university housing rates went up about 5 percent, MSU's anti-discrimination policy was altered to include gender identity and a bid was accepted to begin construction on IM Sports-West's indoor pool.
And that was only part of the MSU Board of Trustees meeting.
Trustees said they voted to increase housing rates in order to remain nationally competitive.
• Beginning in the fall, university apartment rates for one-bedroom apartments will increase by an extra $30 — from $600 to $630 a month. Two-bedroom apartments will increase from $665 to $699 a month.
• Residence hall prices also jumped up $318 to $6,362 annually for returning students, while new students will have to pay an extra $632, which translates into $6,676 a year.
• Food plans will expand and increase in price, and a Sunday evening meal service could be added.
"(The rental rates) are on the average side than what we've had previously," said Mike Rice, acting vice president of University Housing and Food Services.
University officials also expanded MSU's anti-discrimination policy to include gender identity. Student government officials proposed the policy change five years ago. In 2003, gender identity was added to the university's anti-harassment policy.
"It's been really hard to make sure I have protection on campus," said Jordan Furrow, a first-year graduate student and co-founder of a campus organization for female-to-male transgender students, Phi Tau Mu.
"The university needs to protect students, faculty and staff from discrimination. Discrimination breeds harassment."
Trustee Faylene Owen said she agrees with adding gender identity to the university's anti-discrimination policy.
"It's very important," she said. "People are entitled to live their lifestyles. They need to be protected. That's the job of the university."
Trustees in attendance unanimously approved the policy change. Trustees Scott Romney and Joel Ferguson were absent from Friday's meeting.
MSU administrators also secured a construction bid for $1,019,000 to repair the IM Sports-West indoor pool. In January, the board authorized a $1.9 million budget for the project.
Thatcher Construction Co. Inc. accepted the job, which includes replacing equipment, lights, ceramic tile, pumps, filters, pool piping and additional improvements.
The project is funded by a university general fund.
Kristi Jourdan can be reached at jourdank@msu.edu.
