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Housing fees may increase 3 percent

Utilities, employee salaries are factors in the rate proposal

by Portia-Elaine Gant
Senior Staff Writer

The cost of utilities is a primary factor in a proposed 3 percent increase in UH housing rates for the 2004-05 academic year, Residential Life and Housing officials said Tuesday.

"One of the primary reasons is the cost of utilities. We have a fixed cost whether a room is full or not. It's based on square footage," Sandy Coltharp, associate director of Residential Life and Housing, said. "The other issue is that RLH doesn't get any money from the state. When things fluctuate, we can't go to (the Student Fees Advisory Committee) and ask for more money. We have to ask the students for more money."

Coltharp and RLH directors Andy Blank and Javier Hidalgo attended the Residence Halls Association general assembly to field students' questions about the proposed increase. Coltharp said a 3 percent increase in rates was enacted last year for residents of all halls but Cougar Place, but the new proposal will affect Cougar Place as well.

Coltharp said University-mandated pay increases also played a part in the proposed hike. RLH has attempted to cut costs by eliminating housekeeping and temporary workers, she said.

"With the opening of Bayou Oaks, we have had a drop in occupancy," Coltharp said. "We understand that we have to pay more money. If we could figure out a way to do it without charging any more money, we would."

The fees are expected to increase anywhere from $90 a year for a double room in the Moody Towers to $118 a year for a unit with kitchenette in Cougar Place. Some students said they weren't happy with the proposal in light of unresolved problems in the residence halls.

"We all pay fees," RHA National Communications Coordinator Dave Baxter said. "However, the paint on my walls is still peeling. The carpet hasn't even been cleaned. We're still paying fees, but no one is doing what we're paying fees for."

Problems with resident assistants, maintenance personnel and information technology were also discussed, and Coltharp and Hidalgo offered several ideas on correcting those situations.

"If you have a complaint about a specific staff member, let us know. If you don't feel like they're responsive or they're not making it a nice place to live, let me know," Coltharp said.

In addition to the room rate increase, Coltharp said Chartwells is proposing a 2.7 percent increase in meal plan prices.

She said a survey will be sent to residents and encouraged everyone to speak with her about their concerns.

"One of the things I would ask you to do is say, 'I promise you, no matter what, I will fill that out and encourage 10 people on my floor to do the same,'" she said. "That would be something to help to identify the more specific problems."
 

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