Regents Approve Room and Board Rates for 2011-2012
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., March 25, 2011 -- The Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents today approved new room and board rates and a $20.98 million Residence Life budget for fiscal 2012.
Under the approved plan, room and board rates will increase an average of 3.71 percent for next academic year. Dr. Dennis Holt, vice president for enrollment management and student success, said average room rates will increase 3.37 percent, while average board rates will climb by 4.26 percent for fiscal 2012, bringing the average combined room and board rate increase to 3.71 percent for the 2011-2012 academic year.
New Residence Hall Room Rates
Based on the new rates, annual residence hall fees will be $3,750 for Dearmont; $4,000 for Towers South and East; $4,250 for Cheney; $4,850 for Group Housing; $5,500 for Myers; $5,650 per person for triple and double rooms in Towers North and West; and $5,750 for Vandiver, Henderson and New halls.
These figures reflect the cost to continue, including additional costs for maintenance and repair. Private room rates continue to be 1.5 times the rate of a double room, Holt said.
Board Rates
Holt says the average board rate change of 4.26 percent is consistent with the University/Chartwells dining contract and reflects actual and anticipated inflation in food prices for 2011-2012.
Under the standard board rate schedule, the most popular plan – 15 meals per week plus $140 in flex dollars – will cost students $2,360 annually. The 19-meal plan with $116 in flex dollars is $2,570 annually. The 10-meal plan plus $160 in flex dollars is $2,130. The five-meal plan plus $270 in flex dollars is $1,820 annually.
The flex dollars reflected in the board rates are cash stored electronically on students’ ID cards as part of their meal plan. They can be used at any campus dining location to buy additional meals, food items, snacks and beverages.
With the approved room and board rate increases, a student living in Towers South/East with a 15-meal plan will pay $6,360, up from $6,160 last year.
Non-Traditional Housing Rates
In other action, the Board approved a 1.7 percent increase for non-traditional housing at 401 and 505 Washington Street. The Washington Street Apartments consists of 19 units and vary in number of bedrooms, size of rooms and amenities. Monthly rates for the 2011-2012 academic year will range from $379.90 for a one-bedroom efficiency at 505 Washington Street to $513.99 for a two-bedroom apartment with a balcony at 401 Washington Street.
Residence Life Budget and Capital Improvement Plan
The $20.98 million Residence Life budget approved by the Regents is up from a $19.67 million budget under which Residence Life is operating in fiscal 2011. Holt says about half of this difference is accounted for by an additional $167,000 for electricity and water due to local rate increases and a final one-time payment of $503,000 for the performance contract. Increases in room rates for Towers North and West and in Myers from 5.61 percent to 5.71 percent bring rates for these halls into alignment with comparable accommodations.
Holt says Residence Life continues to proceed with a capital improvement plan previously approved by the Board of Regents. Based on an audit of HVAC in group housing in fall 2010, the air handling systems in Greek J and K buildings will be replaced at a cost of $2 million. Consequently, other planned projects have had to be deferred, such as card access and renovations at Washington Street Apartments.