MSU increases residence hall rates in response to energy, food price inflation

East Lansing — The Michigan State University Board of Trustees on Friday voted to increase residence hall rates by nearly 7% for first year students this fall to account for a 10% increase in gasoline and energy costs and a 25% spike in food prices.

The percentage increase, which would raise first-year room and board on the silver unlimited meal plan to $11,754, reflects one of the largest increases in the past several years. The higher room and board rates will not affect second-year students, who as of the 2021-22 school are required to live in campus housing.

Room and board rate increases over the past seven of eight years have been below 3%, according to the university.

The university’s apartment rates also will increase. Rates for the next academic year at 1855 Place and University Village Apartments will increase by 5% while rates for Spartan Village will increase by 3%.

"We have had extraordinary inflation, especially in our food service program at an aggregate of 25%," said Vennie Gore, senior vice president for student life and engagement at MSU. "In order to cover the costs and make sure we provide the meal plans we do, that's critical. We've also seen inflationary increases around salaries, energy and other costs."

Jo Kovach, president of the Associated Students of Michigan State University, criticized the increase to applause from the crowd gathered at the Friday morning board meeting.

"A 7% increase in room and board rates without a subsequent increase in student employment wages is incredibly inhumane," Kovach said.

The 25% increase in the food service program is "purely food" and doesn't involve labor, said Gore, who pointed to exorbitant increases in egg costs in recent months as an example of the cost pressures MSU faces.

Gore said the university also has made internal changes to defer repair and maintenance while cost inflation is prevalent.

"We are very concerned and we always have been very concerned about the total cost of education," Gore said.

The university’s new residence hall rates still would rank lower than other universities. Among Big Ten universities, MSU would rank 12th and, among Michigan universities, MSU would rank seventh, according to a memo Gore submitted to the board.

“This proposed rate increase attempts to strike a balance between affordability, enhanced services for our students and the continued renovation and required updates of our aging residence halls and apartment buildings,” the memo said.

eleblanc@detroitnews.com