Before voting on a proposed increase in room and board rates, the Student Senate will survey student opinion and hold a forum to educate students about the proposal, said Adam Weyhaupt, speaker of the senate.

Last week, Lou Hencken, vice president for student affairs, agreed to delay submitting most of a housing budget proposal to the Board of Trustees until the senate and the student body had time to review the proposal.

Under the proposal, residence hall rates would rise about 3 percent, and meal plan costs would increase between 14 to 16 percent beginning the fall semester 2001.

Weyhaupt said the senate’s Tuition and Fee Review committee is planning to distribute a survey to students in the next couple of weeks, and is organizing a forum for students to learn and discuss the proposal.

“We’re going to say (to the students) `Here are the options: what do you want to do?'” Weyhaupt said.

Weyhaupt said it was too early to tell when a complete housing budget proposal would reach the BOT.

Many Eastern students have said that if the proposed rate increases are approved, they would want to see improvements in University Housing and Dining Service or they may consider off-campus housing.

Chris Lempa, a junior history major, said he wouldn’t mind paying more if Dining Services improved the food and catered better to vegetarians.

“Raising prices is fine as long as you see improvements and get to see where your money is going,” Lempa said.

Terri Colao, an elementary education major, said that she did not mind paying last year’s housing increase, thinking she would have access to the ethernet in the fall of 2000. However, Colao said was disappointed to find her ethernet did not start working until second semester, and wondered how long it will be before she saw any results from this new proposed increase.

Marie Henson, a sophomore biological science major, also cited the university’s delay in getting the ethernet system up and running, as well as the delay in finishing construction around campus.

“I don’t think it’s fair for Eastern to increase their rates when they aren’t fulfilling their previous promises,” Henson said .

Other students believe the proposal will send enrollment down and drive more students to look off campus for a place to live.

“Most people go here not only because it’s a good school, but because it is affordable. If the school keeps raising the price, enrollment is going to drop,” said Annie Pasquerlla, sophomore biological science major.

Courtney Farrell, a sophomore business major, stated that when she was considering moving out of the dorms last year, “comparing prices was a definite issue.” “The more Eastern raises prices, the more appealing living in a house or an apartment will seem to students, ” she said.