The Penn State Board of Trustees approved a 4.4% increase in the room and board fees for 2011-2012 in their meeting this past Friday. This increase will help cover the cost of renovation and maintenance to current areas of need, as well as property expenses.

“As auxiliary enterprises, the Housing, Food Services and Residence Life programs are entirely self-sustaining and receive no financial support from tuition or state funds,” noted Gail Hurley, associate vice president of Auxiliary and Business Services.

The price for an average double-room and the most common meal plan for a student in the 2011-2012 school year will be $4,370 per semester, $185 more than the current rate.

Housing, Food Services, and Residence Life have attempted to offset the increase by looking for ways to save in other areas of their budget. In 2009 they removed landline telephones in the residence halls which produced a savings of $700,000. This year, the University also renegotiated their television contract, helping to save over another $700,000.

Renovations for the upcoming year include the Port Sky Café at Penn State Altoona and the Pollock Dining Commons at University Park, as well as the conversion of Simmons Dining Commons into residential space.