Regents approve increase to KU room and board rates that average 2.65 percent

? The Kansas Board of Regents on Thursday approved an average 2.65 percent increase in room and board rates at Kansas University.

Under the proposal, the combined room and meal plan for a typical double-occupancy room at a residence hall at KU will increase $180, from $6,802 to $6,982 per academic year. The increase will take effect July 1, 2010.

The board approved increases at all six regents schools, with averages ranging from 1 percent at Fort Hays State University to 4.7 percent at Pittsburg State University. Kansas State University proposed a 3 percent increase, which would raise its $6,752 rate by $202 to $6,954.

Even with the increases, the cost of room and board will remain below the average for public institutions in the Midwest, the regents staff said.

Approximately 5,100 KU students live in student housing facilities. The annual operating budget of the housing operations is about $21.5 million.