Rent in the dorms will go up 6.5 percent for the 2005-2006 academic year.
Melanie Sparks, director of campus housing, said the rise in rent is because of the 4 percent compensation increase approved by the Board of Regents. She also said the University upgraded electrical lines.
"We're trying to keep our expenses at a minimum so rent doesn't have to go up very much," Sparks said.
Rent for a double-occupancy room in a traditional dormitory, like Hokona Hall or Coronado Hall, is $1,929 per semester. The price for 2004 was $1,790 per semester. For a single-occupancy room in a traditional hall, the price went up from $2,235 to $2,390.
The cost to live in the Student Residence Center and Redondo Village Apartments rose from $2,385 to $2,547 per semester.
Sparks, who took the position last summer, said the cost of living in the dorms is raised about 6 percent every year.
"That's if it does get raised," she said. "I'm not really sure. This is the first time I've gone through it."
Freshman Katie Whitaker has lived in Hokona Hall since last fall. She said she plans on living in the Student Residence Center this fall and hates that the rent has to be increased.
"It kind of makes me mad," she said. "It's already pricey to live on campus and I don't want to have to pay a lot more to stay."
Sparks said the cost of living in the dorm includes amenities such as private phone lines, high-speed Internet connections and housekeeping. All utilities, including electricity, gas and water are included in dorm costs, she said.
Freshman Kenda Deputy said she doesn't want the cost of living in the dorms to be raised.
"It's ridiculous," she said. "It's so expensive already."
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Each building has Resident Advisors provided for students, Sparks said. Student patrol is also available, but that is provided by the UNM Police Department, she said.
"We just take care of the facilities," Sparks said.
Whitaker said living on campus is great because of the convenience.
"You can just roll out of bed in the morning for your classes," she said. "It's also a lot closer to activities on campus."
Deputy said she plans on returning to Hokona Hall in the fall and said the paid amenities are wonderful.
"But you could still find a better deal off campus," she said. She agreed living on campus is more convenient, however.
"It's really close to everything and you get to meet more people," she said.
Sparks said she plans on holding focus groups in the fall with residents to find out what the Housing and Dining Services can do better and what things need to be changed.
