NEWS

BSU housing, dining rates increase

Seth Slabaugh
seths@muncie.gannett.com

MUNCIE -- Ball State University’s board of trustees has approved a 2.9 percent increase in room and board for incoming freshmen in 2016.

Rates are frozen, however, for students on the premium plan (those who signed a contract to stay on campus for two years).

Students who live on campus have higher retention/graduation rates as well as higher GPAs than those who move off campus, Vice President Kay Bales said.

Treasurer Bernie Hannon says housing and dining rates are based on occupancy, including the size of each freshman class, inflationary expenses for labor, food and other costs, and costs of repairs and rehabilitation.

About 3,600 freshman are expected on campus next fall. Total residence hall occupancy this past fall was 5,847, compared to about 6,600 in the fall of 2009 and an expected population of 6,030 next fall.

The cost to live in a double room next fall in a regular residence hall will be $10,244, which includes 21 meals a week. The cost drops for students choosing fewer meals than that.