EIU Media Relations

EIU Trustees to Consider Housing Costs for 2005-2006 School Year

Eastern Illinois University 's Board of Trustees plans to consider hikes in housing costs for the 2005-2006 school year when it meets for the first time in 2005.

The meeting, which is open to the public, will begin at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 24, in the Grand Ballroom, located in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

If approved as presented, room and board rates for students living in Eastern's residence halls and Greek Court will increase between $198 and $223 per semester (a 7.7 percent increase), depending on the meal plan chosen. The proposed room and board rates range from $2,749 per semester for the 5 Plus Meal Option to $3,098 for the 15 Plus Meal Option.

The four meal plan options each permit students a specified number of dining center meals per week, plus a specified number of "dining dollars" which can be used to buy extra meals in any dining center, make purchases at Eastern's Food Court in the University Union or at the university's two residence hall convenience centers, or provide dining center meals to guests (when accompanied by that student).

Students living in University Apartments could also see an increase in the rates they pay. The proposed plan calls for increases of between $10 and $12 per month (an approximate 3 percent increase), with rents ranging from $353 to $397 a month, depending on the type of apartment being rented (one-bedroom, efficiency or super efficiency).

University Court residents could pay nearly 3 percent more, as well, with housing cost increases ranging from $62 to $81 per semester, depending on the size of apartment being rented.

Mark Hudson, director of Housing at Eastern, said approximately half of the proposed increases would go to cover inflationary needs and state-mandated hikes in minimum wage. The other half would be "dedicated dollars," earmarked for special projects and residence hall enhancements as requested by students.

Trustees also will hear several informational reports, including updates on the Doudna Fine Arts Center renovation/expansion project and the reconstruction of Blair Hall, which suffered severe damage in an April 2004 fire.