Regents approve residence hall and meal plan rates

The Arizona Board of Regents approved residence hall rates for Northern Arizona University along with a guarantee of no increases for freshmen for two years at its March 6-7 meeting in Tempe.

The regents also voted in favor of NAU's adjusted meal plan rates that likewise will be guaranteed for two years.

The regents authorized NAU to increase residence hall room rates by an average of $209 annually for single-student housing and $33 per month for family apartments for 2008-09. Incoming freshmen assigned to the Freshman Connections residence halls will pay $3,848 annually in 2008-09. These freshmen will be guaranteed no residence hall rate increase for their 2009-10 sophomore year in a traditional residence hall.

"Our goal is to be flexible, predictable and affordable," said David Bousquet, vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs.

The residence hall rate guarantee for freshmen comes after NAU's guaranteed tuition program was approved by the regents in December. The residence hall rates were supported by NAU's Residence Hall Association of students, who participated in the rate review process.

The regents approved NAU's meal plan rates, which will increase by an average of $230 for 2008-09. Students who elect to continue a meal plan in 2009-10 will pay the same rates as in the previous year.

Cost increases in utilities, operational expenses, food and the minimum wage necessitated the adjustments in residence hall and meal plan rates, according to Bousquet.

The regents approved the rate increases on a 5-3 vote.

In other board action, the regents unanimously approved a resolution to reaffirm the Arizona Board of Regents policy to not allow weapons on campus.

"I'm a big Second Amendment supporter, but there's a time and place for everything, and guns on college campuses are not the place," said Regent Fred Boice.

Regent Ernest Calderón noted he was a member of the National Rifle Association but said, "In a learning environment, you have to manage a lot of moving parts. But when you inject guns…I can't guarantee everyone will be a responsible gun owner."

The resolution, introduced by Regent Robert Bulla, was in response to a legislative bill that would allow anyone with a concealed-carry permit to have a concealed firearm on university and community college campuses.

During its two-day meeting, the regents also approved NAU English professor Bill Grabe's appointment as a Regents' Professor. Laura Huenneke's appointment as vice president for Research was formalized with the approval of the regents. The board also approved a contract for James Hardy, director and head coach of cross country and track and field, which will extend from July 1 through June 30, 2011.