For the 2010-2011 school year, the rate per semester for a dorm is going to increase. In 2009, the IU Southeast Budget Committee, which consists of upper administration, met to discuss rates for the dorms. These rates are set biennially, which means they are set every two years.
“This coincides with how the Indiana legislature’s budget cycles are set,” Seuth Chaleunphonh, dean of Student Life and acting director of Residence Life, said. “IUS recommends increases and the IU Board of Trustees approves for all campuses.”
Chaleunphonh said the director of Residence Life and Housing is an example of someone who is a budget manager. He said the increase is based on a “cost to continue” basis. These are things that go up from year to year, such as electricity, water and Internet.
They had originally decided upon a 3 percent increase but decided to lower it to a 1 percent increase.
Claheunphonh said they wanted to limit the increase to only include what they had to increase.
He said they are trying to prepare for future things, which may include dorm maintenance. While the dorms are somewhat new, some parts of them are still under warranty. If they need money, it will be there.
“These dorms are great,” Alley Denney, elementary education freshman, said, “but the painting job seems to be cheap, along with the thinness of the walls.
While the increase may seem slight, students can expect the increases in dorm rates to continue. The Higher Education Price Index measures the increase in costs for things that are purchased by higher education facilities. This number was 2.2 percent for 2009, when the Budget Committee decided on the increase in housing rates. However, they kept their increase at 1 percent.
“While any increases in housing rates can be difficult for most college students, the Residence Housing Department has costs that they must cover,” Jonathan Moody, psychology junior, said.
Chaleunphonh said students could compare our increase with that of other schools. Some schools, like IU South Bend, are increasing up to 11 percent.
He said IU South Bend might have an increase because their dorms aren’t being filled.
He said the IUS Lodges are not currently full, but he expects them to be full in the fall.
By ASHLEY AGNEW
Staff Writer
aeagnew@umail.iu.edu
