Room and board at KU would increase under proposal sent to Regents

? The cost of room and board at Kansas University will increase next year by approximately 2.5 percent under a proposal before the Kansas Board of Regents.

Housing and food service rate submissions were made Tuesday to the Regents’ Fiscal Affairs and Audit Standing Committee.

The traditional arrangement of two residents per room and a typical meal plan at KU would cost $7,896 for 2014-15, $194 more than the current rate.

KU’s proposed increase was second lowest among the six Regents schools.

Kansas State University would see a 4.5 percent increase; Emporia State, 3.6 percent; Pittsburg State, 3 percent; and Fort Hays State, 2.1 percent.

K-State would go from $7,710 per year to $8,060; ESU from $6,792 to $7,034; PSU from $6,734 to $6,936; and FHSU from $7,130 to $7,280.

Wichita State’s plan would be $10,164 per year but because of a new housing facility is not comparable with previous year’s rates, according to a Regents memo.

The proposed increases are driven by anticipated inflationary costs, facility maintenance and enhancements, according to regents staff.

Even with the increase, all the Kansas schools except WSU would be below the $8,737 average room and board charge for four-year public institutions in the Midwest.

Approximately 5,200 students at KU live in student housing.

The Regents will take final action on the proposed rates during the board’s December meeting.