CAPE GIRARDEAU – The Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents recently approved new room and board rates and a $22.64 million Residence Life budget for fiscal 2013.
Under the approved plan, average room rates will increase 2.43 percent, while board rates will rise an average of 4.96 percent for fiscal 2013. This will bring the average combined room and board rate increase to 3.32 percent for the 2012-2013 academic year, according to Dr. Dennis Holt, vice president for enrollment management and student success.
New Residence Hall Room Rates
Based on the new rates, annual residence hall fees will be:
- $3,800 for Dearmont;
- $4,100 for Towers South and East;
- $4,250 for Cheney;
- $4,950 for Group Housing;
- $5,750 for Myers;
- $5,850 for Towers North and West; and
- $5,850 for Candlewood Suites and Vandiver, Henderson and Merick halls.
These figures reflect the cost to continue, including additional costs for maintenance and repair. Private room rates continue to be 1.5 times the rate of a double room, Holt said.
Board Rates
Holt says the average board rate change of 4.96 percent is consistent with the University’s dining contract with Chartwells, and reflects actual and anticipated inflation in food prices for 2012-2013 and an increase in the value exchange requested by students.
Under the standard board rate schedule, the most popular plan – 15 meals per week plus $140 in flex dollars – will cost students $2,480 annually. The 19-meal plan with $116 in flex dollars is $2,690 annually. The 10-meal plan plus $160 in flex dollars is $2,230. The five-meal plan plus $270 in flex dollars is $1,910.
The flex dollars reflected in the board rates are cash stored electronically on students’ ID cards as part of their meal plan. They can be used at most campus dining locations to buy additional meals, food items, snacks and beverages.
With the approved room and board rate increase, a student living in Towers South/East with a 15-meal plan will pay $6,580, up from $6,360 last year.
Non-Traditional Housing Rates
In other action, the Board approved a 3 percent increase for non-traditional housing at 401 and 505 Washington Street. The Washington Street Apartments consist of 19 units and vary in number of bedrooms, size of rooms and amenities. Monthly rates for the 2012-2013 academic year will range from $391.30 for a one-bedroom efficiency at 505 Washington Street to $529.41 for a two-bedroom apartment with a balcony at 401 Washington Street.
Residence Life Budget and Capital Improvement PlanThe $22.64 million Residence Life budget approved by the Regents is up from a $20.98 million budget under which Residence Life is operating in fiscal 2012. Holt says the difference reflects increased contributions to reserves and facilities renewal.
He says the Capital Improvements Plan for Residence Life through fiscal 2013 is currently being reviewed, and will be revised and submitted to the Board for approval in the fall when actual costs for fiscal 2013 projects are known.
