Student Housing Rates to rise

Throughout the Oregon University System, housing rates climb higher nearly every year, though Portland State has one of the lowest recommended increases in the Oregon University System for next year.

PSU is faced with a proposed 2.8 to 3.5 percent increase in housing costs for the 2010–11 school year. These rates do not affect students this year.

Under a 3.5 percent increase next year, students could expect to pay up to $136.45 more for room and board annually. However, this is one of the lowest proposed housing hikes in several years. Between the 2007–08 and 2008–09 school years there was a 9.28 percent increase in room and board rates.

PSU is only facing a proposed 3.5 increase, compared to 6 percent at University of Oregon and 4.5 percent at Oregon State University and Western Oregon University.

“These universities run on a different system, so the rates are not really comparable,” said Corey Ray, director of Student Housing and Residence Life.

PSU is expected to grow in population from its current 27,000 students to approximately 36,000 to 52,200 students, as reported on OregonLive.com. PSU Student Housing is trying to accommodate the future increase by not only fixing the old buildings, but also by constructing new ones.

“Student housing is self-funded, meaning that all of the fees are paid by the residents, and does not receive income from the university general fund,” Ray said. “We only have so much money to work with, and we receive no financial aid or help in fixing these problems.”

In the past, a company called Student Housing Northwest ran campus housing. This is the same company that still owns the Goose Hollow apartments, which are located near campus. Under its control and maintenance, many of the buildings were left neglected and structurally deteriorated. The older buildings were the ones hit hardest by this lack of maintenance, some needing new piping throughout, new roofs and new boilers.

“Students are seeing a rise in rates due to reconstruction and maintenance costs from 10 years of neglect,” Ray said.

The Stratford, King Albert Hall, St. Helen’s Court, Blackstone, Parkway Manor and Montgomery Court are all at least 70 years old. When the management of the buildings was changed, it became apparent how much work the buildings needed.

Blackstone needed some remodeling and a new boiler and Montgomery Court needed remodeling and had a community kitchen installed. Parkway Manor is a family housing building, so it needed to be made safe for children. All of the older buildings needed to be outfitted with Internet and telephone lines.

“Even if a lot of people move out because of the increases, there are always many more waiting to move in. The convenience of living so close to campus, of melding your rent with your tuition and even not having to use the shower in the Stott Center or ASRC after a workout is quite alluring,” said a current resident of university housing.