BATTLE CREEK (WKZO) — The Western Michigan University Board of Trustees met Wednesday at the School of Aviation in Battle Creek and approved a 3.3 percent increase in room and board rates for the 2015-16 academic year
That means a student living in a traditional residence hall and selecting a 15-meal plan, will pay $288 more over the course of a full academic year. The annual cost for the room and board package will be $9,011, effective this fall term.
WMU Trustees will also spend 400-thousand dollars to purchase the Eaton Corp. Hanger at the Kellogg Field. It will be used by the Aviation School for some class work, a maintenance instruction program and lab equipment.
The increase in rates was not made public before WMU Trustees introduced the proposal during their public meeting, and never debated in public, or involving the public. In fact many of the issues are discussed at a closed informal meeting that takes place before the open meeting.
A State Lawmaker has proposed a constitutional amendment that would force University Trustees to be more transparent and hold open sessions.
Troy Rep. Martin Howrylak says they are doing the public’s business, they should do it in public. Its difficult to give meaningful public input to university proposals when the public has no idea what is being proposed until it comes up for a vote.
