Student family housing rates expected to increase
Few people attended a public hearing Tuesday to discuss a proposed increase in student family housing rental rates.
Family housing officials are requesting an increase of about 3.5 percent in rental rates for
Spencer View and Westmoreland units and a $15 monthly increase in rates for East Campus houses
and apartments.
The rate increase is needed because of rising operating costs, such as electricity, Family Housing Director Lou Vijayakar said.
Although the rate increase will affect student pocketbooks, Vijayakar said most student tenants seem to realize the extra money
is needed.
“$15 is $15… It does affect (students),” she said. “But for the most part, I think students understand that everything’s going up.”
Westmoreland resident Davy Ray, the only tenant to attend the hearing, said he opposed the rate increase because it seemed counterproductive to the University’s goal of providing affordable housing
to students.
Family Housing area director Frank Gaddini said that even with the increase, family housing rental rates will still be about 30 percent lower than market value.
University General Counsel Melinda Grier will consider testimony submitted before sending the proposal on to the secretary of state for approval. Written testimony may be submitted until noon Thursday. If approved, the rate increases will go into effect July 1.

— Kara Cogswell