Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees will consider a 7% increase in rates for residence halls and dining plans at its meeting Friday. The change is recommended by the university's department of Student Life and Engagement, which says an increase is needed to keep up with rising inflation.

The proposed hike would see rates for the standard double-room and silver dining-plan option at $11,754 for first-year students and $10,990 for second-year students.

The recommendation notes that in seven of the last eight years, room and board rate increases were below 3%, and that this change would help the university “mitigate the impact of inflation.” It also argues that even with the increase, MSU’s room and board pricing will remain “competitively positioned” with other Big Ten universities.

The recommendation also includes a 5% increase for 1855 Place and University Village Apartments and a 3% increase for Spartan Village Apartments.

“We understand the importance of keeping housing and dining rates affordable for our students, especially as the pressures of individual contribution to the cost of higher education continue to increase,” the recommendation says. “This proposed rate increase attempts to strike a balance between affordability, enhanced services for our students and the continued renovation and required updates of our aging residence halls and apartment buildings.”

Those wishing to make public comments at Friday’s meeting must register online by Wednesday, April 19. Statements to the board before the meeting can be made by emailing trustees@msu.edu.

The board will discuss and vote on the recommended increase before the public comment section of the meeting.