Dorm prices to increase next year
By Daily Bruin Staff
April 8, 2001 9:00 p.m.
 MIKE CHIEN First-year students (left to right)
Nick Polat, Josh Craig and
Sam Vasquez squeeze in a Hedrick triple ““
which will cost about $460 more next year.
By My Yen La
Daily Bruin Contributor On-campus housing rates will increase by an
average of 6.5 percent for the 2001-02 academic year, with students
having to pay about $500 more to live in the same type of housing
facility with the same meal plan. Students will pay as much as
$8,335 to live in the residential halls or $9,855 to live in Sunset
Village, De Neve Plaza or the residential suites. Housing rates
have increased at about 5.5 percent per year for the past three
years due to debts from De Neve Plaza construction and inflation,
though UCLA is attempting to alleviate the financial burden on
students, said Director of Housing Michael Foraker. “We are
trying to do as much as we can right now,” he said.
Nevertheless, some, like first-year undeclared student Simran
Sahny, still find the cost to be too high. “I am not very
happy,” Sahny said. “I thought it was expensive
already.” Four main factors account for next year’s
increased rates, including the power crisis and increased salaries
and benefits for some workers. In anticipation of higher natural
gas and electric rates, the utility budget has been increased by
about 60 percent, or $1.75 million, according to Foraker. While
agreeing that workers perform well and deserve their raise, he said
union contracts have resulted in additional expenses for housing.
“Fringe benefit costs have gone up substantially,” he
said. Another factor for the rate increase is the financial impact
of the podium and two buildings in De Neve that are under
construction. Housing officials said they are uncertain whether the
buildings will be completed by fall quarter, but they’ve set
aside a good portion of money to meet the staffing, maintenance and
utility needs for De Neve. “We have to assume there is a
possibility that it will be available,” Foraker said. New
food programs and options also contribute to the price increases
for next year. Dining Services plans to keep some food places open
until 2 a.m., offer more pastries, and feature more vegetarian and
low-fat food options. According to Foraker, UCLA Housing has
attempted to keep prices as low as possible for students by
administering an energy conservation program, bidding competitively
for major products and getting conference revenue during summer
months. For first-year international development studies student
Evelyn Alvarez, it seems unreasonable to raise prices when some
housing services such as Internet connections and air conditioning
still need to be improved. “Living in Sunset Village ““
that’s a $500 increase,” Alvarez said. “That is
(significant) when it’s on limited student budget.”
Some students have found alternatives to avoid the rising costs.
The difference in price is one reason first-year mechanical
engineering student Matt Ouwerkerk decided to move into a
fraternity house next year. “It’s not the main reason,
but it’s a good solution,” he said. Ouwerkerk, however,
does not think the rising on-campus housing prices are outrageous.
“I think they’re high, but for the area, I think they
are reasonable,” he said. UCLA’s housing prices for
next year fall in the middle, compared to other UC campuses,
according to Foraker. One campus with some of the highest priced
housing, UC Berkeley, charged more than $10,100 for the 2000-2001
year for some double rooms. On the other hand, UC Davis, a
lower-priced campus in terms of housing, charged close to $7,500
for the 2000-2001 year for a double room. Davis’ meal plan
options, however, are slightly different than those of UCLA.
On-Campus Housing Rates Increase On-campus
housing rates ahve increased each year, with the average rate of
increase for 2001-02 year at 6.5 percent SOURCE: UCLA Housing
Original graphic by CONNIE WU/Daily Bruin Senior Staff Web
adaptation by MIKE OUYANG/Daily Bruin
