Housing costs go up across campus, but felt most deeply by tenants of Rams Commons

Residents of Rams Commons will pay an extra $12 a month in rent starting next year.Felicia Billingslea, the general manager of Rams Commons, said that during the fall semester, students occupied 433 of the 436 rooms available. However this did not include resident assistants. The spring semester’s occupancy of Rams Commons is full. As for the 3 percent price increase, she said that it was campuswide and all rooms will increase by $12/month and all other fees will remain the same. The prices for these apartments will now vary from $392 to $464/month per person. Students have mixed opinions of the price increase.Senior Arnell Wooten said, “I have no opinion on the matter because I will be graduating, so it won’t affect me. However, the prices they ask for are all right if you have assistance and don’t have to come out of your pocket.” Edrick Miles (classification, Major) said, “The prices are already steep, and the increase doesn’t make it any better.” Tyress Tate, a senior in business administration said, “The prices are ridiculous as is, especially rationed out per person for a room. However it is convenient to have an apartment on campus, your own room, and privacy, and be billed individually instead of relying on everyone putting together a lump sum every month to pay rent.”Dana Mitchell, a sophomore occupational therapy major, said, “I feel the increase is too soon, considering they just built and opened them this year. The prices are high enough already. I do like having my own room, but the walls are a little thin.”Shannon Jones, a freshman biology major, said, “The price increase is not fair to those it affects, it doesn’t affect me because I have a scholarship that helps cover the cost. Overall these are nice dorms.”