Board approves raise in fees
Fees rise as cost of utilities and food go up, student options increase as well
Joe Habbyshaw
Issue date: 4/24/08 Section: News
The board of trustees moved to increase the cost of room and board Wednesday during their regular meeting. Housing rates will increase five percent and meal plans will go up four percent starting in the 2008 fall semester.
Room fees rose four percent last year and board fees were up six percent. The rise in cost was attributed to the rising cost of utility fees and paying off renovations and expansions.
"Rate increases have ranged between four and 12 percent since Fall 2004," Director of residence life and housing, John Messina, said. "They reflect changes in overall operating costs in the facilities, including staffing, utilities, supplies, security, cable, phone and debt service associated with the facilities."
"We have tried to keep the increase as low as possible," said Zia Ahmed, UA's director of Dining Services. "As everyone knows, food prices are increasing rapidly - they rose 4.9 percent nationally last year, and they jumped 5.3 percent the first three months of 2008. We are able to hold down our increase because we operate efficiently."
Garson Residence Hall will not be affected by the rate increase next year.
"It is the only facility that is not projected to have significant operating increases," Messina said.
Meal plans will take on a larger change in the coming school year. According a press release from the University of Akron, students, parents, the Associated Student Government, and University Dining Services have redesigned UA's dining plans. Traditional meal plans, with the exception of the 10-meal option will now come with $100 dollars in Dining Dollars, which can be used at any on campus dining facility and over 40 off campus vendors. The additional $100 is included in the four percent increase.
"Until now, the Dining Dollars option has been available to Gold Plan subscribers only," Ahmed said in a press release Wednesday. "Students have told us that they love the flexibility of Dining Dollars, so we have made this option part of the traditional plans as well."
Room fees rose four percent last year and board fees were up six percent. The rise in cost was attributed to the rising cost of utility fees and paying off renovations and expansions.
"Rate increases have ranged between four and 12 percent since Fall 2004," Director of residence life and housing, John Messina, said. "They reflect changes in overall operating costs in the facilities, including staffing, utilities, supplies, security, cable, phone and debt service associated with the facilities."
"We have tried to keep the increase as low as possible," said Zia Ahmed, UA's director of Dining Services. "As everyone knows, food prices are increasing rapidly - they rose 4.9 percent nationally last year, and they jumped 5.3 percent the first three months of 2008. We are able to hold down our increase because we operate efficiently."
Garson Residence Hall will not be affected by the rate increase next year.
"It is the only facility that is not projected to have significant operating increases," Messina said.
Meal plans will take on a larger change in the coming school year. According a press release from the University of Akron, students, parents, the Associated Student Government, and University Dining Services have redesigned UA's dining plans. Traditional meal plans, with the exception of the 10-meal option will now come with $100 dollars in Dining Dollars, which can be used at any on campus dining facility and over 40 off campus vendors. The additional $100 is included in the four percent increase.
"Until now, the Dining Dollars option has been available to Gold Plan subscribers only," Ahmed said in a press release Wednesday. "Students have told us that they love the flexibility of Dining Dollars, so we have made this option part of the traditional plans as well."
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