BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) - Indiana University’s trustees have approved rate increases that will boost the cost of the Bloomington campus’ most popular room-and-board package by 3.5 percent.

The new rate structure approved Friday will raise rates for other apartments and residence halls as little as a half-percent to as much as 5 percent, depending on the housing accommodations.

The Herald-Times reports Interim Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer MaryFrances McCourt says the increases are needed to cover inflation, student life programming and other needs.

Under the increases, IU’s most prevalent room-and-board package will rise to $9,161 for the 2013-14 academic.

Nearly two-thirds of IU students living on campus choose that option, which includes an air-conditioned, double-occupancy room in a mid-amenity residence hall and a standard meal plan.

Posted 2/19/2013