Regents to vote on 'U' Housing fees

The University Board of Regents will vote on annual rate increases for room and board during its monthly meeting scheduled for tomorrow.

The proposal would raise residence hall room and board fees, on average, by 2.7 percent, and family housing rates would rise by 2.45 percent.

"The base increase is less than inflation," said Regent Philip Power (D-Ann Arbor).

The residence hall rate increase is comprised of a 2.3-percent base and an additional 0.4-percent increase to make up for a reduction in the number of converted triples from 300 to 150.

"I think reducing the number of converted triples has, for a long time, been a good idea," Power said.

The regents also will vote on whether to reapprove a $19-million project to renovate and expand the University Hospitals emergency department. The project was approved at the Feb. 1995 regents meeting, but the plans were halted as a result of budget cuts.

Jason Taylor, treasurer of the Residence Hall Association, said the 0.4-percent increase is justified because of the additional living space it would provide for students.

University "Housing is doing a great service to the residents in reducing the number of converted triples," said Taylor, an Engineering sophomore. "It's important to look at the level of services that are provided in the residence halls at this University - they are well above those at other universities."

Despite recent housing shortages, which temporarily forced some students to live in residence hall lounges in September, Director of Housing William Zeller said the reduction in the amount of converted triples will improve the quality of student life.

"It's a balancing act with the desire to reduce the number of overflow triples and to reduce the density (of students) as well," Zeller said. "The quality of life ... will improve by this reduction."

The committee that set the rates originally projected a 3-percent fee increase, Taylor said.

"I think Housing should be commended for not going with the standard and making it 3 percent," Taylor said. "We went through it with a fine tooth comb ... making sure every increase was justified."

Director of Housing Public Affairs Alan Levy said the Housing rates include long-term cost factors, such as the cost of new furniture and building repairs.

"We have to live with costs of everything from labor contracts ... to the cost of other services like utilities," Levy said.

The housing rates are not based on inflation, Levy said.

"Our rate-setting process is not just starting where we were last year and adding the inflation index," Levy said.

The University's room and board rates for a double room, which is used as the standard in setting rates, is the second highest in the Big Ten conference, ranking only behind Northwestern University, the only private institution in the conference.

"I think just taking those numbers at face value is a mistake," Power said, adding that factors that determine the base rates include the size of the residence halls, how they are financed and the quality of service within the halls.

"When you take apart those numbers, you find there are many numbers the University is not in control of that yield these costs," Power said.

Agenda highlights for this week's regents' meetings

* Proposed 1998-99 'U' residence hall and family Housing rates
* Increase of 2.7 percent for the residence halls, on average for a double room
* Increase of 2.45 percent for family housing
* Proposal for a $19 million expansion the University Hospitals emergency department

02-18-98