EIU Media Relations

Room and Board Rates Set for 2009-2010 School Year at EIU

Eastern Illinois University's Board of Trustees on Friday approved an increase in room and board rates for students living in EIU housing during the 2009-2010 school year.

According to Dan Nadler, vice president for student affairs, the new rates cover increases in operations including, but not limited to, fixed costs (e.g., utilities), student-employee wages, and food.  Three percent of the increases will be dedicated to capital projects.

Nadler added that EIU retains one of the lowest housing rates among Illinois public universities, and is still among the "greatest values in the state."  In a recent residential survey, 93 percent of respondents indicated satisfaction with on-campus housing.

Students living in EIU's residence halls and Greek Court will see increases of $217 to $245 per semester (a 6.45 percent increase), depending on the chosen meal plan. Room and board rates will range from $3,584 per semester for a 7 Plus Meal Option to $4,039 for the 15 Plus Meal Option.

The four meal-plan options each permit students a specified number of dining center meals per week, plus a specified number of "dining dollars" that can be used to buy additional meals in any dining center; make purchases at Eastern's Food Court, Java B & B and Panther Pantry in the MLK Jr. Union and at the university's two residence hall convenience centers; and to provide dining center meals to guests.

Students living in University Apartments will also see an increase in the rates they pay. The plan calls for increases of between $12 and $13 per month, with rent ranging from $398 to $447 a month, depending on the type of apartment being rented (one-bedroom, efficiency or super efficiency).

Rate increases will not affect students living in University Court, a university-owned apartment complex for sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students. Rates there will continue to range from $2,263 to $3,025 per semester, depending on the type of apartment being rented.

According to Mark Hudson, Eastern's director of Housing and Dining Services, the university froze rates at University Court in order to remain competitive with student-oriented off-campus housing in the Charleston area.

Approximately 350 students reside in the 146-unit University Court, where phone, high-speed internet and cable television are provided in the cost of rent.  Meals, electricity and water are not provided as they are in the residence halls.

Occupants are eligible to purchase university meal plans, which enable them to eat at any of the campus dining centers.