Volume 126 Issue 44
Monday, November 11, 2013
kansan.com
Students living in on-campus dorms, such as Ellsworth and McCollum, might see higher room and board costs for the 2014-15 school year. The Kansas Board of Regents will vote on the proposed increase in December
CODY KUIPER
ckuiner@kansan.com
A proposal submitted last week to the Kansas Board of Regents would raise the cost of room and board at the University by approximately 2.5 percent next school year.
The increase is meant to keep up with inflation, as well as provide for traditional maintenance and
Officer Plan.
KU Student Housing began working on the proposal internally 16 months ago, and then discussed their recommendations with student government leaders from the Student Housing Advisory Board.
upgrades for University housing, such as a new sprinkler service for Oliver Hall.
"The most important thing is that were answerable to the students."
The proposal would raise the cost of a two-resident room with a typical meal plan, the most common housing option, to $7,896, an increase of $194. With the increase,
Kip Grosshans, Associate Director of Student Housing said. "It's also important that we are good stewards of the money, because it is the students that are paying for this."
The rise in rates is on par with or slightly lower than those in years past: the hike in 2012 was 2.54 percent and 2.5 percent in 2011. Previously the University has used
the University will still be well below the national average cost of room and board at four-year public schools, which as of last year was $9,205, according to the College Board.
the increase to help pay for larger initiatives, such as a cable package in the Stouffer Place apartments or pay raises for maintenance and service workers.
The five other universities under the Kansas Board of Regents proposed room and board increases, including Kansas State, Emporia State, Pittsburg State, Fort Hays State and Wichita State, Kansas
State proposed the highest increase at 4.5 percent, and the University's was the second lowest, trailing only Fort Hays State at 2.1 percent.
The proposal will be a part of the Board of Regents November discussions, and it has been traditionally passed in December.
Edited by Casey Hutchins
CAMPUS
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Chancellor Grav-Little recently spoke about the Higher Education Act, the government shutdown and professor David Guth.
Chancellor Gray-Little discusses recent issues
LCODY KUIPER
ckupier@kansan.com
in her 1st interview for the semester with the University Daily Kansan, Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little addressed potential legislative changes to higher education, the lasting effects of the government shutdown on the University and the ending of the controversy surrounding Professor David Guth.
Higher Education Act
Congress is gearing up to reauthorize the Higher Education Act, an almost 50-year-old law that legislates how federal dollars are awarded to universities and their
The act covers everything from loan limits to accreditation of universities, and it is up for renewal every five years. Gray-Little said every time the bill comes up, universities around the country start to sweat.
students.
"There's always a concern that there'll be change that will provide less support for higher education, or sometimes there's concern that there will be control added that wouldn't be productive for universities," Gray-Little said.
In 2008, when it was last authorized, the Higher Education Act was altered to simplify the federal aid application process. This time around, lawmakers are taking aim
higher grades.
"I wouldn't like to see a system where every state has a completely different accrediting process for universities," she said. "You see those problems in K-12 schools where there is an accreditation for the local level, then there's a
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) plans to introduce a bill that would allow state regulators to create their own accreditation systems, rather than follow the regional ones currently in place. Gray-Little said this type of reform wouldn't be beneficial to higher education.
at universities' accreditation methods.
SEE GRAY-LITTLE PAGE 2
ENERGY
Winter weather causes higher utility costs across the U.S.
ASHLEY BOOKER
abooker@kansan.com
The decision to live off campus and go out on your own can be exciting, but that excitement can turn sour when living expenses increase.
Paying $50 a month for electricity is quickly becoming outlandish for senior Rachel Ingebrigtsen from Sedalia, Colo. She and her roommates keep their thermostat set at 67 degrees when home and 64 when away and turn off lights when needed.
"We aren't really sure why it's so costly," Ingebrigtsen said.
energy information Administration, Ingenbrigtsen isn't going to get a break. The EIA projects 90 percent of the nation's household heating bills will increase 13 percent for natural
According to figures by the U.S.
"The main rule of energy savings is if it's not being used, turn it off."
gas, 9 percent for propane and 2 percent for electricity this winter
Building materials play an important role in your energy bill as well. For example, University buildings are mainly stone or brick, which retain heat easier,
Almost half of U.S. households use natural gas and are expected to spend $80 more a year because of colder weather predictions.
"Putting on that sweater and just having that thermostat be a little lower does keep you a little warmer and makes a difference for your power bill," Phillips said.
thermostats to a low of 68 degrees and a high of 78 during the cold winter months.
Werth and Director of Facilities Services Jay Phillips recommend installing a programmable thermostat and to set back temperatures while you are out for the day or sleeping.
GEORGE WERTH Campus Energy Manager
For those of you who are looking to save a few bucks, put on a sweater and grab a notebook to jot down some advice from the Facilities Services department at the University.
Campus Energy Manager George Werth advises everyone to set
while residential homes are mostly wood frame, which heat up faster.
You may not be able to exchange living in a cold basement for a south-facing, third-story
apartment, but the price of your bill is partially up to you.
Some ways to avoid high-energy costs include: programming your thermostat when away, dressing for the weather, weather-stripping all doors and windows, buying draft dodgers and using LED lights.
"The main rule of energy savings is if it's not being used, turn it off"; Werth said.
Edited by Paige Lytle
Westar Energy's Winter Energy Saving Tips
Thermostat settings:
— 68 degrees or lower
- lowering thermostat one degree may save 3 percent on energy bills
Close/ Unplug:
— Close vents and doors in unused rooms
— Close fireplace damper when not in use
Unplug all electronic devices when not in use
During Day:
— Open blinds or drapes on sun
exposed windows
During Night:
— Use electric blankets and lower thermostat
Close blinds or drapes
install/change in home:
— Caulk and weather-strip doors or windows
install foam gaskets around wall outlets
Avoid:
Electric space heaters
Blocking vents with furniture or drapes
Index CLASSIFIEDS 11 CRYPTOQUIPS 5 ORTS 12 CROSSWORD 5 OPINION 4 SUDOKU 5
westarenergy.com
All contents, unless stated otherwise, © 2013 The University Daily Kansan
Today's Weather
Don't forget
Cloudy and becoming windy with a few showers. West southwest at 10 to 15 mph. 30 percent chance of rain
Thank a veteran, it's Veterans Day
4
HI: 55
LO: 23
1
Near a jacket, it's nasty out.
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