Dorm rates going up at UH
Advertiser Staff
Room rates at dormitories at the University of Hawai'i's Manoa and Hilo campuses will rise between 15 and 20 percent in the next three years under a proposal approved yesterday by the UH Board of Regents.
The dorm rate increase, which will take effect this fall, will be the first for Manoa students since 1998, and 1996 for Hilo students.
Students in dorms at UH-Manoa can expect a 5 percent increase in housing fees each year through fall 2004.
Students living at the UH-Hilo dorms will face a 10 percent rate hike this fall, with 5 percent increases in 2003 and 2004. The student association at UH-Hilo voted in support of the rate increase.
Annual dormitory rates at UH-Manoa range from $2,089 for double-occupancy at Johnson Hall to $4,524 single-occupancy at the Hale Aloha towers. That would rise to $2,193 and $4,750 this fall and $2,418 and $5,237 in 2004.
Students living at UH-Hilo pay between $1,382 and $4,502 each year. That would rise to $1,520 and $4,952 this fall and $1,676 and $5,460 in 2004.
Students living at UH-Manoa also face a 4 to 6 percent increase in the cost of dorm meal plans this fall, or an additional $37 to $67 per semester.
The Manoa increases were considered after examining several factors, including operating costs, occupancy level, conference business and other sources of income, rate comparisons between similar size institutions and local apartments and dormitories, UH officials said.
The additional money will cover increases in personnel costs, projected inflation in utility costs and to services and supplies, money borrowed to complete the installation of cable TV and Internet services to all student rooms, along with the initial repayment of money borrowed to finance the cafeteria renovation project.
The Hilo increases will cover connectivity for telephones, Internet connections and cable TV, with housing providing free local phone service. Long-deferred maintenance will be addressed and furniture and floor covering repair or replacement will take place.
