During its April 2 meeting, the UCA Board of Trustees will discuss a proposed increase in room and board costs. The increase will account for inflation and increasing costs, but is reasonable.
No one likes to pay more for room and board, but the increase the board will discuss is minimal. Room costs will increase three percent and board will stay the same, resulting in a $45 increase overall for a standard room and unlimited meal plan.
The increase is minimal and will help to keep the campus residence halls and apartments in working order. Repairs must be made and the lights must stay on in the dorms.
If you don’t live on campus, this increase will not affect you at all. The increase is only tacked on to the room part of room and board, meaning only people who live in campus housing will see the increase.
The increase in the overall room and board rates also comes with increased meal equivelancy options and improvements to the student center. This will only happen if Aramark’s contract is renewed, but it seems likely that this will happen.
Aramark also plans to try and get fresher, southern grown produce for ingredients, further enhancing the meal plans and campus food.
No student wants to pay any more than they have to for their tuition and fees, but a small increase like this is worth the ability for UCA to keep its high standards for its housing and food.
Students who don’t want to pay the increased fees can always move out, but a privately owned apartment in the Conway area as nice as the UCA apartments will likely cost more than campus housing anyway.
Students should be happy the increases in room and board were so minimal this year. Many students will not have to pay more, but for those who do, the increases are reasonable and will help keep UCA fucntional.
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