Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees will consider a 6.89% 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 and residence hall renovations.
Under the proposal, rates for the standard double-room and silver dining plan option would be $12,564, which is $810 more than current rates.
The proposed hike to dorms and dining plans would only apply to incoming first-year students.
"(Student Life and Engagement) is sensitive to the need to keep housing and dining rates affordable for students, especially as the pressures of individual contribution to the cost of higher education continue to increase," the proposal states. "This proposed rate attempts to strike a balance between affordability, enhanced services for students, and the continued renovation and required updates of aging residence halls and apartment buildings."
The proposal also recommends a 5% increase in rent for 1855 Place and University Village apartments.
The recommendation notes that in six 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.
MSU approved similar rate hikes in April 2023, which raised rates 7% for first and second year students, 5% for 1855 Place and University Village Apartments and 3% for Spartan Village Apartments.
Those wishing to make public comments at Friday's meeting must register online by Wednesday, April 11. Statements to the board before the meeting can be made by emailing trustees@msu.edu.
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