Penn State’s Board of Trustees met virtually Tuesday night to unanimously support a substantial increase to room and board rates for the 2021-22 academic year.

The adopted changes would work out to a $203 increase per student per semester for those paying for a standard double room and mid-level meal plan. The new figures represent a 3.45% from 2020-21 mid-level rates.

Under the now-approved rates, the average student will pay $6,079 to live on campus each semester next year.

About 2.3% of the increased costs will be used to fund predicted rises in operating costs for Housing and Food Services. The remaining adjustment will help pay for plans to expand the department’s operations and support renovation projects across campus, including East and Pollock dorms.

Next year’s 3.45% room and board increase falls just a bit lower than 2020-21’s 3.52%, although that increase was later adjusted to reflect Penn State’s modified plans for on-campus living. Rates were revised largely because students left campus before Thanksgiving and returned in mid-February,

John Papazoglou, associate vice president for Auxiliary and Business Services, said increased rates were needed to help Housing and Food Services meet rising costs, specifically those pertaining to operations, facilities maintenance, and projected increases to food purchases.

Still, he credited Housing and Food Services’ work this year, noting the department essentially upended its operations to spearhead quarantine and isolation efforts at Eastview Terrace, introduce mobile ordering, and keep the dorms running smoothly. He estimated staff has helped accommodate more than 2,500 students in Eastview so far this academic year

“Since the start of the pandemic, Housing and Food Services has really done a great job providing care and comfort to students across the commonwealth during a very uncertain time,” Papazoglou said. “I’m very proud of the work of our team, and we are looking forward to continuing to serve our students this coming fall.”

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