A University of Maryland System Board of Regents panel gave initial approval Thursday to a plan that slightly increases room and board costs at most system institutions next year.
The finance committee, meeting at the Center for Advanced Research in Biotechnology in Rockville, voted unanimously to increase annual dormitory charges at all but three of the state schools. The increases range from a hike of 2 percent, or $50, at Salisbury State University, to 7 percent, or $172, at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Increases at other campuses will likely be:
-University of Maryland College Park by 2.9 percent, or $86.
-Bowie State University by 4.5 percent, or $113.
-Towson State University by 3.1 percent, or $80.
-Coppin State College by 3.6 percent, or $110.
The University of Maryland at Baltimore, University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Frostburg State University will not see increases. The University of Baltimore does not have dormitories or a board plan.
George L. Marx, the system’s vice chancellor for academic affairs, said the increases are modest because of increased effectiveness in operation at the campus level.
“These are self-support activities, meaning the campuses have to ensure that the activity will return enough money to pay the necessary costs,” Marx said.
The committee also voted to raise annual board charges at all of the schools except Frostburg State University. The range of increase is from 1.8 percent, or $20, at Towson State University to 6.3 percent, or $100, at Coppin State College. Other schools will see the following increases:
-University of Maryland College Park by 1.9 percent, or $45.
-Bowie State University by 3 percent, or $52.
-University of Maryland Eastern Shore by 5.9 percent, or $100.
-Salisbury State University by 4.4 percent, or $100.
-University of Maryland Baltimore County by 1.9 percent, or $40.
The University of Maryland at Baltimore does not have a board plan.
Marx said there is generally no outcry from students over the annual increases because they are paying for a valued service.
“Necessary things like new lights can’t go in if the fees aren’t there to support it,” Marx said. The full Board of Regents will likely vote to accept the proposed room and board increases when they take up the issue at their next scheduled meeting, April 12, Marx said. The Board will meet at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. -30-