Dorm and meal plan costs will rise in the fall

Ohio State students will pay more to live and eat on campus beginning in the fall.

The board of trustees voted last week to increase the room-and-board rate 5.5 percent. This will make the average cost of food and board $8,874 for three quarters. The exact cost will vary depending on a student's choice of room type and meal plan.

The extra money will be used to offset normal inflation expenses and pay for improvements to the south campus high-rise dorms, said Shelly Hoffman, assistant vice president for OSU media relations.

Renovations to the dorms will cost about $172 million and will include the addition of about 900 beds. It would also create more study space and add air conditioning.

Ohio State does not believe that the increased rates will deter future students from choosing OSU.

"We are below average in cost (for Ohio public universities), and about average for Big Ten schools," Hoffman said.