December 20, 2008

Trustees OK 2009 rate plan for Purdue Residences

Under the approved plan, rates for premium on-campus housing will increase the most, while blocks of additional residence hall rooms will be held at the lowest rates possible to provide an affordable option, said John Sautter, vice president for housing and food services.

The difference between the original and amended rate structures would generate in excess of $830,000 to use for scholarships, said James S. Almond, interim executive vice president for business and finance and treasurer.

Trustee William Oesterle said the approved plan was part of a necessary response to state budgetary constraints borne out of the current financial situation and "a bit of a hedge against an uncertain future."

"The intent is to move funds from premium housing options to scholarships to benefit students and help make a college education possible for more students," he said. "We have a tremendous responsibility to seek ways to improve access to higher education, and this is an attempt to address that issue."

The benchmark annual room rate will be $3,650 -- an increase of $240, which now includes the ResNet fee for all students in University Residences. Students can choose from among five meal plan options ranging from 10-20 meals per week with an annual cost of $4,244 to $5,252. Rates for Purdue Village, where residents are not required to participate in university meal plans, will increase by about 4.25 percent.

At Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, rent for apartments in IPFW student housing will increase an average of 3.8 percent. Rates per person for the full academic year will range from $4,900 for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment to $7,580 for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment.

At Purdue University Calumet, rates will increase an average of 4.5 percent. The rate per person for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom suite will be $4,680 - an increase of $200.

"The rates help us keep pace with inflation and continue our commitment to high-quality on-campus housing and dining," Almond said. "The rates in West Lafayette also keep us well within the range of other Big Ten universities."

In addition to the scholarship funds, the new West Lafayette campus rate will cover increased operational costs, including food, utilities, and staff wages and benefits, Sautter said. Minimum wage, which applies to many of the system's nearly 1,500 student employees, has increased more than 10 percent. Energy costs have increased as well, including a nearly 14 percent spike for natural gas.

In-room air conditioning is now available in nearly half of the West Lafayette campus residences. Installation of modern fire sprinkling systems continues campus-wide.

A new residence hall featuring single rooms and private bathrooms will open in the fall of 2009, and renovations to Windsor Halls will be completed in 2012. University Residences plans to spend $6 million annually on renovations and repairs that include reroofing buildings, repairing showers, and replacing water softeners and student room furniture.

Purdue's residence program, which houses approximately 11,600 students on campus, is the largest system in the United States where all students voluntarily choose to live on campus.

"In an era of high expectations and abundant housing options, University Residences is more popular than ever," said Barbara Frazee, executive director of University Residences. "Each fall our residence halls are filled, and for most of our halls we average an annual occupancy rate of nearly 98 percent."

Frazee said the system thrives because it offers a comprehensive package that includes furnished rooms that include 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.

"Our housing is conveniently located and competitively priced," Frazee said. "We provide a supportive community that more fully plugs students into campus life and helps them develop leadership skills."

University Residences offers an array of student-focused services, including recreational and educational activities and the opportunity to join and live in learning communities composed of students pursuing the same educational majors. Each year freshmen living in residence halls earn higher grade point averages than freshman living off campus.

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, she said.

"On-campus housing is an integral part of campus life and an important tool in recruiting and retaining students," Sautter said. "Our master planning helps ensure that we meet the needs of today's students, including helping them succeed socially and academically."

As University Residences nears completion of its current master plan, it has already begun preparations for a new master plan in 2012. The plan will focus on modernizing or replacing residential facilities that were not addressed in the current master plan. Consistent with this process,  University Residences has hired the consultant who is crafting Purdue's comprehensive master plan.

Writer: Jim Schenke, (765) 494-6262, jschenke@purdue.edu  

Sources: James Almond, (765) 494-9706, jsalmond@purdue.edu

John Sautter, (765) 494-1000, jasautter@purdue.edu

Barbara Frazee, (765) 494-1000, bjfrazee@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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