Announcements

The Board of Regents approved fees that increase the cost of living on campus next year by $268, or about 2.9%. Last year’s increases totaled $255.

Fees for the 2009-2010 academic year total $9,377 (housing including data, phone and cable at $5,549, and Resident Dining Plan at $3,828). Residents of kitchen-equipped apartments in Leonardtown, South Hill and St. Mary’s Hall pay $5,783 for housing for the year, plus the cost of a dining plan if any is selected. Housing fees include furnished room with telephone line offering unlimited local and campus calling, smoke alarm and sprinkler, 10Mbps data line per person, 100% wireless internet coverage, and cable television jack per student.

The total fee each semester is $4,688.50 for residents of traditional halls and suites where a Dining Services-approved dining plan is required. For residents of kitchen-equipped apartments, the fee each semester is $2,891.50 (assuming no dining plan, although these residents are welcome to purchase a dining plan at their option, including the Apartment Plan).

Students who live in triple and quad rooms are entitled to a 15% discount of their housing fee, and pay $4,716.65 for the year ($2,358.33 each semester), plus the cost of their dining plan.

Several dining plans are offered from Dining Services; click here for more information.

Click here to learn about the Terp Payment Plan, a way you can spread your payments for two semesters of tuition, room, dining plans, etc. over 8 or 10 monthly payments. There is no interest; there is an enrollment fee of $45 for the 10-month plan, $75 for the 8-month plan, or $40 if you want to make four or five payments for either Fall or Spring but not both semesters.

Dining Services requested a 3.26% increase, $121 more per year for each of its dining plans. Resident Life and Residential Facilities requested a 2.72% increase, $147 more per year for rooms in traditional halls and suites and $153 more per year for rooms in apartments with kitchens.

As primary reasons for the $268 increase, housing and dining officials cited a change in the federal minimum wage that increases pay for student employees; higher food costs; higher costs for electricity, steam and water; increase in data, phone and cable costs; and the start of a several-year program for repayment of borrowing costs associated with construction by 2011 of the State-owned Oakland Residence Hall.