UM Regents Raise Room & Board Rates

Residence hall rates at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor campus will increase 3% this fall, following a vote by the UM board of regents at their May 19, 2011 meeting, held at UM’s Dearborn campus. [.pdf of proposed rate increases] The proposed rate increase for Northwood Community Apartments – housing primarily for graduate students and families on UM’s north campus in Ann Arbor – will be 1% for the 2011-12 academic year.

A staff memo accompanying the proposal indicates that the 3% increase for residence halls is divided into two components: 1% for increased operating costs; and 2% for residence hall renovations. Room and board costs for a single residence hall room would increase from $10,970 to $11,300. A double would increase from $9,192 to $9,468.

In April, Eastern Michigan University’s board of regents approved an aggregate 2.15% room and board increase, and a 3% increase for university apartments. A list of housing rate increases at peer institutions is provided as part of the regents meeting packet. At the top end is Duke University, with a 5.9% increase. A 5.1% increase is slated for Michigan State. Among other Big Ten universities, UM is at the low end of rate increases – only Purdue University has a lower rate increase, at 2%. However, UM’s room and board costs are among the highest in that group – only Northwestern and Purdue cost more.

This brief was filed from the Fairlane Center at UM’s Dearborn campus, where regents are holding their May meeting. A more detailed report will follow: [link]