BSU holds room/board rate increase to 1%

MUNCIE — Ball State University's board of trustees has approved a 1-percent hike in room and board rates for freshmen entering school in the fall of 2017. The increase represents about $100 more than freshmen paid in the fall of 2016.

The room and board rate for a standard room will range in price from $9,060 for a plan providing 10 meals a week to $10,346 for a plan providing 21 meals a week, BSU Treasurer Bernie Hannon told trustees. The rates are based on double-occupancy rooms.

Hannon presented a comparison of average room and board rates at 22 schools in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, the Mid-American Conference and the Big Ten for 2016-17, including:

• Miami University-Oxford $12,454

• Ohio State University-main campus $11,706

• Ohio University-main campus $11,176

• University of Akron $11,086

• Kent State University $10,720

• Average $10,425

• Indiana University-Bloomington $10,041

• Purdue University-main campus $10,030

• Ball State University $9,936

• Indiana State University $9,696

• Bowling Green State University-main campus $8,690

The budget for Ball State residence halls this school year is $34 million, while the dining services budget this year is $45.2 million.

Expenses include employee salaries/wages/benefits, staffing levels, price inflation on food and related items, debt and repair, maintenance and renewal of facilities and buildings.

Compared to its peers, Ball State offers high quality housing and dining options at competitive rates, based on the increasing number of upperclassmen who continue to live on campus, student surveys and feedback from prospective students and their parents, according to Hannon.

Ball State room and board rates have financed the addition of Kinghorn Hall, Park Hall, Jamba Juice (smoothies), Tom John Food Shop (custom sandwiches) as well as renovations of DeHority Hall, Woodworth Commons, the Student Center Tally Food Court, Noyer Center Dining, Studebaker Hall East and Botsford-Swinford Halls. Schmidt/Wilson Halls are undergoing renovation.

The 1-percent rate increase assumes a fall 2017 starting occupancy of 6,280 students in BSU residence halls and a fall 2017 freshman class of 3,700.

Ball State's Premium Plan offers students a two-year housing agreement with rates guaranteed for two years along with more "dining plus dollars," standard vehicle registration, preferred room scheduling in the second year and an earlier move-in date.

Contact Seth Slabaugh at (765) 213-5834.