Housing rates increase up to 3.5 percent for 2010-11 academic year

New on-campus housing and dining rates for the 2010-2011 academic year were announced Tuesday in an email to students who paid their $600 housing guarantee payment by Feb. 26, showing increases of a few hundred dollars, up to about 3.5 percent, across the board.

The price for a dormitory-style double, triple or quad room increased $270 or about 3.5 percent to $7,980, one of the higher percent increases for the lowest rate. The highest dollar increase was for a single in a two-person Student Village I or II apartment &- $400 (about three percent) to $13,630, along with a comparable increase for a single in a four-person StuVi apartment.

The lowest dollar increase was for a standard apartment with two or more occupants: $260 to $10,570 or about a 2.5 percent increase. A single in an apartment will also cost about 2.5 percent more, or $12,710.

Dorm-style residences saw the higher percent increases, including about 3.5 percent ($10,530) for a single without a bathroom and 3.5 percent ($9,100) for a room in Shelton Hall or 1019 Commonwealth Ave.

The 14-plus, 9-plus, 330 and 250 dining plans all saw increases of $142, or about 3.4 percent, for a cost of $4,280 for next year. The Unlimited plan will increase the same percentage to $4,540, and the Kosher dining plan will cost the same with a $110 (about 2.5 percent) increase, the lowest of any.

Students who paid their housing guarantee and no longer wish to pay the new rates now have until March 19 at 5 p.m. to cancel Residence License Agreement and get a deposit refund via written request to Boston University Housing.

While the tuition change for next year has not yet been announced, last year’s increase &- the lowest in 40 years &- was about 3.75 percent, comparable to these changes.

The 2010-2011 tuition rate is expected to be announced later this month.