Southeast Missouri State University students will see an increase in pricing for on-campus resident expenses to help pay for innovations and maintenance projects around campus.

Director of Residence Life Dr. Kendra Skinner said the increase will help cover costs pertaining to maintenance, repairs and labor services around campus.

According to the university, there will be a 1.97 percent increase in room rates and an additional 3.5 percent to help cover costs with meal plans provided through the Chartwells dining contract.

“Currently the university has a 10-year contract with Chartwells and we’re guaranteed a rate increase in the second and third year up to 3.5 percent,” Skinner said.

Skinner also said Residence Life functions as an auxiliary on campus, meaning that all funds obtained through Residence Life are solely used to improve the on-campus living experience for students.

Room rates and meal plans are separate costs for students. Due to the fact student residents are required to have meal plans, the Office of Residence Life works with Chartwells to help provide services and maintenance to all dining hall facilities.

Residence Life receives no help from the state or any other organization.

“Renovation and construction projects are all covered through money received through room rents,” Skinner said.

A few renovations have taken place on campus in the 2016-2017 academic year and have contributed to the rise in cost.

Dearmont has received several electrical upgrades after a power outage in August, students can now remain on campus for free during holiday breaks, and two houses are being added to the Greek Village and are expected to be completed by fall 2017 semester.

According to Student Financial Services, in the past residence hall semester rates have Differed in price range according to the student’s needs or requests. However, the fall and spring of the 2016-2017 academic year had substantially lower rates than those expected for fall and spring of the 2017-2018 academic year for students staying on campus.

The 2016-2017 academic year residence hall rates for students looking to stay on campus using only standard room services were expected to be anywhere from $2,265 to $3,140 per semester.

Students who were looking for private accommodations were required to pay anywhere from $2,765 to $4,710 per semester.

The 2017-2018 academic year residence hall rates for a standard room will range from $2,325 to $3,165 per semester.

The single occupancy rates will range from $2,825 to $4,747.50 per semester.

These costs do not include meal plans or additional costs for students utilizing extra services.

Some students believe taking student funds to help with the cost for residence hall projects around campus is unacceptable.

“This is a university and money is coming from somewhere to help with the university, so where is that money going and why is my money being taken to fund school projects?” Southeast student living in Towers East Deshaun Johnson said. For more information on the cost of residency on campus for the 2017-2018 academic year, visit http://semo.edu/residencelife/halls/index.html.