EIU Media Relations

Room and Board Rates Set for 2012-2013 School Year

Eastern Illinois University's Board of Trustees on Friday approved an increase in room and board rates for students living in EIU housing during the 2012-2013 school year.

Students living in EIU's residence halls and Greek Court will see increases of $128 to $145 per semester (a 3.25 percent increase), depending on the chosen meal plan. Room and board rates will range from $4,069 per semester for the 7 Plus Meal Option to $4,587 for the 15 Plus Meal Option.

Four meal plan options each permit students a specified number of dining center meals per week; a specified number of “Dining Dollars” that can be used to buy additional meals in any dining center; to make purchases at Eastern's Food Court, Java B&B and Panther Pantry in the MLK Jr. Union and at the university's two residence hall convenience centers; and to provide dining center meals to guests.

Students living in one of the 148 University Apartments (designed primarily to meet the needs of student families and single graduate students) will also see increases in rates.  The plan calls for increases of $13 or $14 a month, with rent ranging from $435 to $488, depending on the type of apartment being rented (one-bedroom, efficiency or super efficiency).  All utilities are included in their rent.

Rate increases will also affect students living in University Court, a 146-unit university-owned apartment complex for sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students. Rates for students there will range from $2,412 to $2,943 per semester, depending on the type of apartment being rented.

According to Mark Hudson, Eastern's director of Housing and Dining Services, approximately 35 percent (or approximately 4,000 students) of Eastern's student body resides in university housing.  And, he added, surveys among those residents indicate that "students really feel like they get a good return on their investment.

“And we work hard to make sure they continue to feel that way," he added.

Dan Nadler, vice president for student affairs, said he is pleased that the university is able to offer its lowest increase in Eastern’s housing rates in 20 years.

“We try everything we can to economize while providing the best service possible to our students,” he added.  “We take a careful look at our needs, including fixed costs such as utilities, as well as employee wages and food costs.  We also consider the best ways with which to maximize our resources.”

In addition to the routine maintenance performed annually in all residence halls, Eastern continues to concentrate on on-going multi-year projects.  By the end of Summer 2012, for example, the university will have finished adding sprinkler systems in all residence halls.

Additionally, Hudson said, Eastern is adding wireless internet access to all residence rooms.  “Well over half of our rooms will have it by the end of the summer,” he said.