Purdue Residences to increase rates for 2007 academic year

Students living in West Lafayette university housing next fall will pay an average of 5.25 percent more than in 2006-07. The predominant room and board rate will be $7,388, an increase of $386, said John A. Sautter, vice president of housing and food services.

At Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, rent for apartments in IPFW student housing will increase an average of 4 percent. Rates per person for the full academic year at Fort Wayne will range from $4,320 for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment to $6,550 in a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment.

At Purdue University Calumet rates will increase an average of 2.9 percent. The per person rate for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom suite will be $4,270, a increase of $120.

"The rates on various campuses will help us keep pace with inflation while also further increasing the quality of housing and dining on campus," Sautter said.

The new rate at West Lafayette will cover increased operational costs, including food, utilities, and staff wages and benefits, that are all projected to increase by at least 3 percent next year, Sautter said. The increase also includes a 2 percent surcharge to fund improvements that are part of a multiyear facilities master plan for the self-supporting University Residences system.

Since the master plan was adopted in 2000, $134 million in projects have been completed, including extensive renovations to Cary Quadrangle, new quick-serve restaurants at Cary Quadrangle and Harrison Hall, and three new state-of the-art dining courts.

Air conditioning is now available in more than half of the student spaces and installation of modern fire sprinkling systems continues campuswide. Also, renovations to Windsor Halls and the construction of Wiley Dining Court are scheduled to begin next year, and a new residence hall is scheduled to be built starting in 2007. University Residences plans to spend $7 million annually on renovations and repairs that include reroofing buildings, repairing showers and replacing water softeners and student room furniture.

Rates for Purdue Village residents will increase by 2 percent in 2007. Residents there are not required to participate in university meal plans.

Purdue's university residence program, which houses nearly 12,000 students on campus, is the largest system in the United States where all students voluntarily choose to live on campus.

"University Residences has achieved this status in an era when students have higher expectations for their housing and there is a surplus of off-campus housing options," said Barbara Frazee, executive director of University Residences. "When the master plan was adopted, the average residential space was 42 years old and most were not air-conditioned. Few buildings could be easily reconfigured to contemporary housing styles, and the system was losing space to make room for expansion of the academic campus."

Frazee said the system now is thriving because it offers a package that includes flexible meal plans that are available 18 hours a day and furnished rooms that include utilities, telephone service, cable TV and high-speed Internet.

"We offer the best proximity to campus, easy access to excellent dining and other amenities, and a sense of community that helps create supportive social networks and develops leadership skills," Frazee said.

University Residences offers an array of student-focused services, including recreational and educational activities and the opportunity to join and live with learning communities composed of students pursuing the same educational majors. In addition, trained staff members are available 24 hours a day to offer counseling and mediation services, access to buildings is monitored, and security policies are enforced to help ensure student safety, she said.

"On-campus housing continues to be an instrumental tool in recruiting, admitting and retaining students, and ensuring student success while they are at Purdue," Sautter said. "The funding of the master plan allows us to provide high-value housing and top-quality dining that enhances the residential life experience."

Writer: Jim Schenke, (765) 494-6262, jsschenke@purdue.edu

Sources: John Sautter, (765) 494-1022 jasautter@purdue.edu

Barbara Frazee, (765) 494-1000, bjfrazee@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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