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Iowa State Proposes Rate Increases for Dining and Housing to Fund Essential Repairs
This Thursday, Iowa State’s Department of Residence and Dining presented a proposal during the IRHA meeting to increase dining prices by 5% and housing prices by 6% for the upcoming fiscal year. Dave Garsow, the coordinator of residence living, clarified that these increases are necessary to cover urgent maintenance and renovation needs. “No one’s getting extra money in their pocket from this,” he stated. “All money that comes in goes directly back into exactly what you need for a great experience in both housing and dining.”
Operating as auxiliary departments, both Residence and Dining do not receive state or university funding; they rely entirely on student payments. Garsow highlighted that the increase is not purely for infrastructure improvements but also to address the rising costs of food and other amenities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although inflation has slowed, utilities significantly impact overall expenses.
Upcoming projects that students can anticipate include critical renovations at Friley, where restroom infrastructure will be upgraded due to deteriorating piping. Karen Rodekamp, associate director for engagement at Iowa State Dining, noted, “The pipes are falling apart. They’re disintegrating. So it’s not something we can really avoid.” Additional bathroom renovations are planned for various residence halls, including Helser, Willow, Larch, Linden, Oak, and Elm. Furthermore, air conditioning replacements and installations are set for multiple locations, including Wallace, Wilson, and Freeman.
The proposed rate increases underline Iowa State’s commitment to maintaining and enhancing student living conditions, ensuring that campus facilities remain functional and up-to-date.
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Photo credit iowastatedaily.com
