The room and board rate for Fiscal Year 13 faces an increase of 3.25 percent compared to the 3.5 percent increase from FY 12 and the 6.5 percent increase from FY 11.

Mark Hudson, the director of University Housing and Dining Services, presented the room and board rate update determined by six students serving on the bond revenue committee at the last Student Senate meeting of the semester Wednesday.

A resolution commemorating head football coach Bob Spoo’s 25 years of service to Eastern was also presented during the meeting as well as the election for Student Senate speaker.

The room and board rate is decided by how expenses affect the income budget, which is about $25.48 million. The budget is determined by the assumption of 80 percent housing occupancy, Hudson said.

According to the expense report, increased expenses totaled about $1.26 million, which made the room and board rate increase 4.97 percent. However, an offset revenue adjustment of $523,069 caused the rate increase to decline by 1.72 percent, making the rate increase 3.25 percent.

The offset revenue adjustment consists of income funds from factors such as the Eastern application fee that prospective students pay and income from off-campus students who pay for a meal plan.

Hudson said one aspect that assisted with a lower room and board rate increase was a decrease in payment to energy debt.

The expense went from $820,673 during FY 12 to $171,647, which is a decrease of $649,026.

“This decrease is seen because part of the debt on the energy plant is being paid by energy savings, which are not available until FY 13 so that is why there is a gap,” Hudson said.

The room and board rate update will be presented at the Residence Hall Association meeting today at 5 p.m. in the Stevenson Hall lobby.

Zach Samples, a sophomore history major, was reelected as student senate speaker. Samples ran unopposed for the position.

The Student Senate unanimously approved a resolution that was presented to Spoo during the meeting.

Spoo said during the last 50 years in football, 25 years at Eastern, he had the opportunity to interact with great people including players and coaches.

“My name spelled backwards is oops, which defines our last two seasons, but I am happy to say that I am proud of what we have accomplished here,” Spoo said.

Kaci Abolt, the student vice president for student affairs, said she grew up watching Eastern football and witnessed much of Spoo’s success as a coach.

“(Spoo) is an outstanding member of the community and is definitely a face of EIU that we will miss, but will always remember,” Abolt said.

Rachel Rodgers can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].