The amount students pay to live on campus will increase by about 10 percent next year — $165 for an average-priced room per semester.
About half of the room and board increases will pay for an $18-per-month Internet fee. The remaining 5 percent each semester will pay for renovation to existing dorms and new construction. Officials say they expect room and board costs to increase by 5 percent every year for the next 15 years.
In past years, students have had the option to pay a monthly fee for high-speed Internet service directly to the Office of Computing Services. But next year, the Internet service will work as phone and cable do — all students will pay for the service as part of their room and board fees, regardless of whether they want it.
More than 70 percent of students already pay for Internet service. This number was a deciding factor in choosing to include the payment in room and board fees, said Leah Moore, a Residential Life business manager.
Moore said financial aid and scholarships that pay for room and board can cover the Internet services next year.
Lauren Watson, a mass communication freshman who lives in East Laville, said she does not mind the Internet fee.
“It will be more convenient,” she said. “If they consolidate [fees], it makes it easier for everybody.”
The Residential Life governing boards that are composed of students approved the increase for Internet and renovations.
Steve Waller, associate director of Residential Life, said the 15-year plan to renovate campus housing will cost $274 million.
The plan began with the removal of Graham Hall last summer. Graham will be replaced in 2007 with a dormitory that will add 780 beds, Waller said.
After the construction of the new Graham complex is complete, renovations will begin on West Laville and Blake Halls in 2007, Waller said. East Laville Hall renovations are slated for 2008. Kirby Smith Hall renovations will take place in two phases — the first in 2009 and the second in 2010 — with completion set for 2011.
Moore said current students might not see the final results of their renovation fee.
“[Students] are benefitting from what students invested in before — new lobby furniture, elevators,” she said. “It’s an investment in the future.”