Beginning in the fall of 2003, students will pay an additional $260 on average in housing fees to live on Grounds.
The new costs will be part of a long-term project to maintain and possibly replace current University housing.
The Board of Visitors unanimously approved the increase at its meeting last weekend.
"There are a couple of purposes of the increased prices," Chief Housing Officer Mark Doherty said. "One is to offset inflationary increases in services, goods, labor and utilities."
Doherty added that "another purpose is to build a [financial] reserve that will help us do the planning and ultimately the construction for new project renovations, notably Alderman/Observatory Housing, which has been the subject of intensive study indicating some of the buildings may need to be replaced."
Doherty emphasized that, while some Alderman Road residences are in need of renovation, there is no current danger to students living in the new dorms.
Though students will be forced to pay yet another increase at the University, officials quickly pointed out that the University's housing costs are considerably lower than at other state institutions.
According to University Vice President for Finance Yoke San Reynolds, the University has the third lowest housing costs among the 15 public institutions in the Commonwealth.
Students at the College of William and Mary pay $3,259 annually; James Madison University housing costs are $2,972, while those attending Virginia Tech pay $2,058 per year. The highest housing cost in the Commonwealth is at Christopher Newport University -- students there pay $4,100.
The University currently charges students $2,451. The state average is $3,050.
Reynolds also commented on the durability of Alderman Road Housing as compared to McCormick Road dormitories.
"I think McCormick Houses were built to last 50 years and I'm not sure the Alderman houses were built to last that long," Reynolds said. "The dormitories built in the 60s and 70s have not been as durable as those built before and after that time period."
The decision to raise housing fees is not a result of current budget crises, which have plagued the University and the state.
"I suppose you would say the purpose is to cover all costs," said Reynolds. "The state requires all auxiliary operations to be self-sufficient. The state will not give subsidy for student housing."
Also, according to Reynolds, the University Housing Department "is spending double on maintenance when compared to two or three years ago."
This figure should assure students that the extra costs will directly contribute to Housing needs, Reynolds said.
Doherty also said the decision was not made hastily.
"We do not raise rates lightly," Doherty said. "What we do hope in the long term is that this will allow us to maintain and provide facilities at a quality that students expect."
Read More
Students have federal internship offers rescinded due to hiring freeze
By Nina Broderick | YesterdayUntil July 15, no presently vacant federal civilian positions may be filled, and no new positions may be created.
Man dies from self-inflicted gunshot wounds at the Rotunda
By Ford McCracken | 2 days agoThe investigation is ongoing, and additional details are not available at this time.
Virginia primary elections feature contested race for Democratic Lt. Gov. candidate
By Nicolas Biernacki | 2 days agoEligible voters can find more information about early voting by consulting the City Department of Voter Registration & Elections website or the County Department of Elections website.
