Cameron University has proposed room and board rates for the 2022-23 academic year in addition to reducing its online course fee. The rates were approved Thursday by the Board of Regents for the University of Oklahoma, Cameron University and Rogers State. The fee reduction recommendation will be forwarded to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for final approval. If approved, the changes will go into effect at the start of the Fall 2022 semester.
“In order to continue to provide a great student experience, maintain our residential properties and guarantee the quality of food services, our students who live on campus will experience slight increases in rates,” says John McArthur, president. “Nonetheless, we remain committed to keeping the cost of a college degree affordable and will continue to examine our budgetary expenditures to identify cost-cutting measures.”
Housing rates for the 2022-2023 academic year in both Shepler Center residence halls and Cameron Village apartments will increase by 5 percent, with plans starting at $1,215 per semester. The increase will address increased maintenance and utility costs, allowing Cameron to continue to provide a safe and educationally conducive living and learning environment in Cameron Village and the Shepler residence halls. All semester rates include unlimited laundry, cable television and internet, as well as membership in the Residence Hall Association.
Residential meal plans for 2022-2023 will increase by 10 percent and will start as low as $1,265 per semester. Over the past few years, the Cameron’s food service costs have increased between 2 percent and 8 percent each year. The proposed 10 percent rate increase to university meal plans is in direct and proportional response to increases in food costs while maintaining student access to quality food at times and locations convenient to them. The increased rates will offset increased costs associated with the university’s food service contract.
Students who live on campus are required to have a meal plan, but plans are also available for commuter students and start as low as $79 per semester. All plans have a variety of options to meet individual needs. The plans ensure CU students have access to balanced and nutritional meals during the semester.
According to the College Board, the average cost of room and board at public four-year, in-state universities is $11,950 (compared to $11,720 in 20-21). In Oklahoma, the average is $8,866, according to the Education Data Initiative. CU’s proposed FY23 room and board rates (Shepler double with 8-flex plan, the lowest standard rate) are 49.5 percent lower than the national average and 31.9 percent lower than the Oklahoma average for public, four-year universities.
The Regents approved a reduction in CU’s online course fee from $40 per credit hour to $20 per credit hour. Many of the computer software, computer hardware, and online services funded by this fee are currently available to all students. This request will more appropriately distribute course expenses among students using those services.
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PR# 21-156
