Correction Appended: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the amount of percentage increase in University housing rates.
DEARBORN — The University’s Board of Regents unanimously approved a 3-percent increase to residence hall room and board rates for the 2011-2012 academic year.
The cost of a double room with a standard meal plan will be an average of $9,468 per student — a $260 increase from last year.
University Provost Philip Hanlon said the raise in rates is necessary because University Housing experienced an increase of $2.6 million in costs. However, the department also reduced its operating expenses by $1.7 million for the 2012 fiscal year.
Hanlon added that the University tries to maintain the room and board rate for students from year to year, but added that he thinks the rates for next year are still “affordable.”
While 1 percent of the increase is to partially offset projected operational causes, the other 2 percent is to fund major renovations, like construction projects on existing residence halls like East Quadrangle, Hanlon said.
Hanlon added that Northwood Community Apartments — aimed at housing upper-level undergraduates, graduates and students with families — are also undergoing renovations and will experience a 1-percent increase in rental rates.
North Campus Research Complex to house new health institute
The regents approved the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, which is to be one of the largest institutes of its kind, to be centralized in the North Campus Research Complex.
According to a University press release, the Institute’s mission is to enhance the health and well being of local, national and global populations by using innovative research. The Institute could make room to hire up to 500 researchers and will begin searching for a director in the fall.
Slottow moved the regents to approve $13.7 million project to add 120,000 square feet to building 16 of the NCRC so that it can additionally house the new institute along with about a dozen more health research organizations. The regents unanimously passed the project.
Ora Pescovitz, the University’s executive vice president for medical affairs, said the institute and the renovations to the NCRC are groundbreaking steps for the University.
“By doing this renovation, it will enable us to gather, in one geographic location, the largest co-location of health services researchers anywhere in the country,” Pescovitz said. “So this is a wonderful opportunity.”
Regents grant faculty tenure
Hanlon said he was honored to review more than 200 cases of outstanding faculty seeking tenure this year.
Each department conducts reviews and solicits reviews from outside sources before the University colleges complete their evaluations of those eligible for tenure, Hanlon said.
Members of the regents and guests gave their endorsements of some exemplary employees being considered for tenure. The regents unanimously approved all of the faculty members that were discussed.