Eastern Michigan University increases housing rates by nearly 5 percent
Eastern Michigan University will raise on-campus housing rates by nearly 5 percent next year.
EMU's first-year dorms have seen some upgrades in recent years, including new angled windows.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
Regent Thomas W. Sidlik entered the sole vote against the increase, saying he feared it would dissuade students from living on campus.
"The No. 1 reason students move away from on-campus housing is their perception, rightly or wrongly, that EMU is too expensive," he said.
Board of Regents chairman Roy Wilbanks voted for the increase but cited concerns with the proposal.
"I find this very difficult to support," Wilbanks said. He asked EMU administrators for a breakdown on how the projected $1.3 million increase in fiscal 2012-2013 revenue will be spent and said he wants the school to "cut the red tape" and put earnings to practical use. He added: "I also believe that we have done ... a relatively poor job of marketing our dorms."
EMU President Susan Martin said the increase "will enable housing and dining services to meet the increased costs" of supplies and enhance "the overall residence hall experience" at EMU.
Housing Director Brian Kulpa said the school has invested roughly $24 million in dorm repairs and enhancements in the past five years and needs a surge in revenue in order to continue repairs. Several dorms still need infrastructure upgrades, and EMU is planning $8.8 million in repairs over the next five years.
The total cost for a standard double at EMU next year will be $8,286. Upgraded rooms cost between $30 and $40 more per month on average. This year EMU's dorms were 94 percent full. Its apartments were 95 percent full.
Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.
Comments
Geoff Larcom
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 2:05 a.m.
In fully understanding the context of this rate increase, it helps to note several other details that were shared with AnnArbor.com: Even with the increase for 2012-2013, EMU's housing and dining rates remain among the lower room and board rates for Michigan's 15 public universities. EMU was the only university in the state to freeze tuition and room and board rates in 2010, and its aggregate room and board rate increase of $543 over the past three years is the second lowest in the state. Over the past three years, EMU's aggregate increase of $614 in tuition and fees was the lowest in the state, as was its combined increase in tuition and room and board of $1,157. This past year, EMU's room and board rate ranked 10th among the 14 public universities with housing facilities. I would also urge readers to note the frank public dialogue among the regents regarding this proposal, which indicates a sincere concern with maintaining affordability for EMU students and their families, yet also notes acknowledges the need to maintain student-related facilities. Note: Geoff Larcom is executive director of media relations for Eastern Michigan University. He served as a reporter and editor at The Ann Arbor News for 25 years before its closing in 2009.
GirlNextDoor
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 2:14 p.m.
Geoff, as an EMU parent, I'm sorry to hear about the housing increase. My student currently lives in an EMU apartment, and lived in Downing for the first two years. She's moving off-campus next year, and that seems to be the trend with many of her friends. There are also many students who live with their parents, here in Ann Arbor, and commute to EMU daily. Tough economic times for many students and their parents; my EMU student just lost her job at the phone center, too.
Kellie Woodhouse
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 3:34 a.m.
Thanks Geoff!