ISU administrators explain why housing and dining costs are rising for new undergrads

NORMAL (25News Now) - Incoming undergraduate students at Illinois State University will pay more next school year for food and on-campus housing due partly to Illinois raising the minimum wage.

The university’s Board of Trustees on Friday unanimously approved increasing the price for room and board by 5% compared to the current school year, citing various factors including having to pay a higher minimum wage for its workers.

The state’s minimum wage rose to $15 an hour on Jan. 1, completing a six-year transition period boosting the wage from $8.25 under a law adopted in February 2019.

ISU administrators also said higher prices for utilities, facility maintenance and repairs, and property insurance were among the other reasons university leaders believe it’s necessary to raise costs for students.

Incoming undergrads will pay an extra $578 for food and housing next school year, boosting the overall annual cost for attending ISU to almost $30,000, according to the staff’s report.

The university said it won’t raise tuition and fees next school year, on the heels of a 15% tuition increase this academic year for students enrolled in majors with high market value, like the College of Business, the new College of Engineering, cyber security, computer science, and the Mennonite School of Nursing.

Trustee Scott Jenkins praised administrators for making it possible to freeze tuition for the time being.

“Keeping tuition affordable and competitive against our peers is something that’s a primary concern,” said Jenkins. “Living within our means and making sure that we can serve students in an affordable way is incredibly valuable.”

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