Trustees approve 2011-12 residence hall rate plans
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University's Board of Trustees on Saturday (Dec. 18) approved a 2 percent average increase in room and board rates at the West Lafayette campus for the 2011-12 academic year. It marks the lowest increase in 45 years, and some rates are decreasing.
The board also approved rates at Purdue's Calumet and Fort Wayne campuses.
New housing rates at the West Lafayette campus range from a drop of 6.5 percent to an increase of 3.7 percent, said James Almond, senior vice president for business services and assistant treasurer. The rates include the 12-meal plan, the most popular student choice.
"We've reduced rates in various levels of 12 of our housing complexes, and the increases to other housing levels are modest," Almond said. "This is the lowest increase since 1966. We're continually looking at ways to keep rates affordable while being able to fund needed repairs and renovations. These rates were set to accommodate as many student financial circumstances as possible."
Depending on the type of campus housing students select, the room-only price for the 2011-12 academic year will range from $3,150 to $10,132. Students can choose from among five meal plans, which will increase 2 percent, ranging from $4,488 to $5,554.
Purdue's on-campus residence program, which houses approximately 11,600 students, is the largest system in the United States where all campus housing is voluntary. The system is financially self-supporting, and no state funds or general student fees are used for construction, maintenance or operations.
Annual comparisons also show that campus housing positively impacts retention and grade point averages. In spring 2010, GPAs for students living in University Residences averaged 2.82 compared to 2.67 for those living off campus.
University Residences offers a comprehensive package that includes furnished rooms with utilities, telephone service, cable TV and high-speed Internet. Flexible meal plans are available 18 hours a day, and a portion of students' dining dollars can be used in the Purdue Memorial Union and at various campus satellite food operations.
Trained staff members are available 24 hours a day to offer counseling and mediation services, access to buildings is monitored, and security policies are enforced to help ensure student safety.
Trustees also approved room rates at Purdue Calumet and Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne.
The rates for four-bedroom suites and two-bedroom suites at Calumet will increase 2.9 percent and 3 percent, respectively. The Calumet campus has nearly 750 rooms that offer apartment-style housing accommodations with board contracts.
Students at Fort Wayne will see an average 2.25 percent increase for 2011-12. Existing students renewing on or before March 31 will not have a rate increase. Rates for existing students contracting after that date and for new students will range from no increase to 3.6 percent, based on the room's configuration.
Writer: Jim Bush, 765-494-2077, jsbush@purdue.edu
Source: James Almond, 765-494-9706, jsalmond@purdue.edu