On Feb. 6, NSU’s Office of Residential Life and Housing informed students via email about important information for the 2015-2016 academic school year regarding room selection process, housing options, meal plans and pricing changes.
Changes in policy include increased room rates in Leo Goodwin Sr. and The Commons residence halls, as well as in the apartment-style Founders, Farquhar, Vettel and Cultural Living Center residence halls, a reduced requirement of 49 credits to apply to live in the FFV/CLC apartments, an increase from $1,300 to $1,450 for mandatory meal plans for Goodwin and Commons and a required $200 meal plan for FFV/CLC residents.
NSU’s Res Life office provides services like maintenance, electricity, water, cable, Internet, staff and security. Assistant Dean of Student Services and Director of Residential Life and Housing Aarika Camp said each year, these services, provided by state and outside vendors, increase, and Res Life tries to include these price increases in housing rates with as little increases as possible.
“Housing rates went up $200 per semester for the double rooms in Goodwin — the biggest increase — and some rates went up as little as $50 per semester in other halls,” Camp said.
Camp said she’s explained to students that some of the rooms went up $200, but this is a monthly increase of about $47 or $50.
“At the front, $200 may seem significant, but when you stretch it out from mid-August to December, that’s about $50 a month, when commuters are paying an extra $100 in rent, $25 in lights, $50 in water and $25 in cable,” she said.
Camp said the question and answer email was meant to inform students of the changes, especially the increases in housing prices, to occur next semester.
“We sent out the Q&A because we didn’t want students to be surprised. Now, you can make the best, informed decision and know what you’re getting into. We don’t want anybody to sign a housing contract, and then say ‘Oh, it went up $200,’” she said.
Vice President of Business Services Marc Crocquet said making the decision to change meal plan pricing and requirements was difficult, but the reason for the increase in prices of the meal plans is to sustain food services on campus. In the past five years, the consumer price index (CPI) for food has risen by more than 10 percent and is expected to further increase by fall 2015.
“We tried really hard to keep the overall plan and pricing low for years; it’s been the same price for five years. The issue is that we want to maintain what we have and also help launch, in the future, any new additions to food services,” Crocquet said. “We’ve been trying to not expand the meal plan requirement, but, now, we’re in the position where we have to.”
Crocquet said through Business Services, food services have been able to expand, with 14 locations, and has made changes that include the variety found at the Food Bar, Flight Deck Pub and the recently introduced breakfast and lunch sandwiches at Starbucks.
“To continue to do that now and in the future, to respond to demand, financially, we had to make that change. We understand that the residential students want variety,” he said.
SGA Minority Senator Collier Strenkert, senior biology and marine biology major and residential assistant in The Commons, said forcing students in FFV/CLC who have kitchens to add $200 to their SharkCards is not fair.
“The institution could suggest adding money to their card for the ease of accessing food in the UC, but requiring it is unfair and could potentially turn people off from wanting to live on campus during their junior and senior years,” he said.
Strenkert also said he has heard a lot of negative feedback from students.
“Even though I believe this policy shift is intended to support the students, it appears forced, which many take as a way for the institution to obtain more money,” he said. “If there was statistical evidence that a change in policy was necessary, I think it would be better received in the sense that it is justifiable. This policy shift hasn’t included any data showing why the shift is necessary.”
Crocquet said the mandatory $200 plan is not meant to be a full meal replacement because students who live in the apartments have kitchens.
“We realize you have a kitchen; it’s just supplemental,” Crocquet said. “I hope people see that for a quality, non-for-profit education, overall, NSU has a compelling value, even with the changes.”
Camp said Business Services always asks for Res Life’s input and believes having extra money on your SharkCard will help when cash is not on hand.
“Personally, I don’t think the amount is too much,” she said. “Some of the students I’ve spoken to have wanted to know more about it but said at least it wasn’t a ridiculous amount.”
Camp said increased housing prices will support increased services for residential students, including more white boards in the study rooms in Goodwin and Commons, which students asked for, career advising services, more recreational activities and RAs on the first floor of The Commons, which there haven’t been for several years.
She said, “This semester, we’re trying to add career development advising for upperclassmen students and for freshmen and sophomores as well, but especially for juniors and seniors who are starting their journey with what they want to do with their lives.”
Residential Student Association President Shanygne Bitna, sophomore communication studies and dance major, said some possible improvements include a better laundry system, more personality in the residence halls and healthier food options.
“Especially at night, when the Food Bar closes, all that’s left is Flight Deck Pub, where the food is fried. Sometimes, I can’t eat all of my food because it makes me sick, and I have 6 a.m. workouts every morning,” she said. “The residence halls, especially Goodwin, should have more personality, like murals, chalk walls and a spirit wall where everything that’s going on is listed, like plays, athletics and events. Something should be added that makes it a home and not a bare hotel.”
Camp said Res Life tries to make the best financial decisions to add the services students want and is always looking to add them — but there’s a price tag.
“It’s those things that some of the housing increases go toward, like being able to have fun things in the halls more frequently and on a bigger scale,” she said.
Crocquet said while there are no plans, as of next year, to add any new locations on campus, Business Services understands that the policy changes and adjustments can have an impact, but it’s not a penalization.
“We’re here to help students be successful while they’re here and also after graduation in their careers; if there’s anything that comes out of this, that’s the number one message. Number two, food services hopefully contribute to that, day to day, making a comfortable and thriving environment. That’s what we’re here for,” said Crocquet.
Camp said students are always welcome to bring suggestions and tell Res Life what they would like to see in the halls.
“We try to be as fair and reasonable as possible, and it’s our charge to provide a really fun atmosphere and an engaging experience,” she said. “If we can find a way to make it financially work, we will.”
The housing contract will be available for students at the end of February. The Office of Residential Life and Housing will notify all residential students via email, posters and through social media when the contract is available. For more information and to view the new housing rates and meal plan prices, visit nova.edu/housing.
Photo credit: edsaplan.com
