The MSU Board of Trustees meets on June 15, 2016 in the Administration meeting. It was the board's last meeting for the academic year.
—MSU’s Board of Trustees adopted new room and board rates for the 2017-18 year, showing another increase for MSU students.
The rates will go up 2.5 percent, as voted on by the Board of Trustees Thursday morning. This price raise is the lowest increase in 19 years. This leads to an overall $100 increase on room prices and $142 increase on food prices.
“We are the third lowest rate in the Big Ten,” Vennie Gore, Vice President for Auxiliary Enterprises, said. “We provide a really great value. In the state of Michigan, we’re currently fourth (lowest).”
Last year, the trustees voted to increase the price of housing by 2.75 percent, which was the lowest price increase in 18 years.
The current rate for a double room with a silver dining plan is $4,867. A silver dining plan on its own costs $2,857 for the 2016-17 year, according to Eat at State. Within the price of housing is the cost of wi-fi, free laundry and cable services among other benefits.
Gore said he believes MSU can compete with new developments coming to the Lansing area, and cited university housing.
“I think 1855 will be a great place for those students who are ready to semi-move out from a residence hall into apartment living,” Gore said. “So when that opens up, that’ll be a great place for them, and same as University Village.”
The price increase comes as a result of inflation, the contract costs for employees and money being put back into the facilities. However, Gore said the university has been fortunate that energy and food costs have gone down.
“Our buildings are between 50 and 70 years old, and so we’re putting money back into the facilities, so that’s part of that,” Gore said.
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