Fees for residence, meal plans and parking approved by Board of Governors for 2020-21

The Board of Governors approved increases to residence fees and annual and semester parking permit rates at their meeting on Jan. 10, 2020.  All You Care to Eat meal plan rates for five and seven day plans are reduced slightly as compared to the 2019-20 year.

Residence fees increase two per cent (effective May 1, 2020)

Residence Services continues to see a strong demand from first-year residents, with 987 students in 2019-20, the highest number in the past seven years. In addition, there has been a consistent increase in overall occupancy over the past few years.

Residence rates include Wi-Fi, heat, water, electricity, trained live-in staff, and housekeeping in common areas. They also include furnished common areas with TVs, study rooms, social activities and events, counselling, tutoring, proximity to gym facilities and various student employment and leadership opportunities. All student residences, with the exception of Student Family Housing, are fully furnished.

Student Family Housing rates include heat, electricity and water, Wi-Fi, common lounge areas for studying or other social events, private courtyard, play areas and playgrounds for children.

“The room rate increase allows Residence Services to continue providing students with a high-quality residence experience, to better respond to student needs and feedback, and the rates continue to remain competitive with properties close to the university,” says Shane Royal, director, Ancillary Services.

With the approved increase, 45 per cent of residence inventory remains at a lower price point than five years ago.

“One of our main priorities is to ensure that students have a positive and cost-effective experience, and that they have access to a wide variety of accommodation and services while they live with us at the university,” says Lakshmi Sangaranarayanan, associate director, Residence Services.

Meal plan program (no increase)

The Board of Governors approved a small decrease to the All You Care to Eat Board Plan program. The meal plan provides freedom for students to eat when and what they choose at The Landing, the university’s dining centre.

“We’ve been extremely pleased with student reaction to the All You Care to Eat’ Board Plan,” comments Royal. “Since changing to this model in September 2018, we have seen a 30-per-cent increase in student satisfaction.”

The five- and seven-day plans will decrease slightly and the food fund portion of these plans has been reduced. “In 2020-21, we are pleased that the overall cost to students will not increase,” comments Royal.

The meal program is mandatory for first-year students living in residence. All students, regardless of whether they live on campus, are eligible to purchase any board meal plan or pay drop-in rates at the Dining Centre.

Parking rate increases (effective April 1, 2020)

Recent cuts to the university’s budget have created significant budgetary challenges for the institution as a whole. As part of the shared accountability to contribute in the wake of the budget reduction, increases of 10 per cent to staff permits and two per cent to student semester permits have been approved by the Board of Governors.

Rates for staff monthly permits are increasing from $110 to $121 per month for outside surface lots and $133 to $146.30 in the Art Parkade.  The rates in MacEwan Hall, TRW, SMART and Child Development Centre Parkades will change from $143 to $157.30.

McMahon Stadium daily rates will increase from $4 to $5 and TRW hourly rates will increase from $4.50 to $5. There will be no change in pricing for day rates in any other lots on campus.

Working with the Students’ Union, the university is pleased to introduce a new student exam rate of $4 per day for Lots 10, 11 and 32. The exam rate will be in place for fall and winter final exam periods.

Approved 2020 parking rates.

Ancillary Services is not-for-profit and does not receive any funding from government or the university. All revenues received stay on campus supporting academic, research, and student programming initiatives.