Last week, the Association of Residence Halls board passed two resolutions that could noticeably change  the housing policy at UND next school year.

The first resolution supported changing Squires and Walsh halls from being gender-specific to co-ed residence halls. This was done to make the residence halls more gender-inclusive and to adjust to students’ preferences to live in a co-ed environment, according to Shane Herman, ARH board president.

Currently, Squires and Walsh are the only gender specific dorms on campus, with Squires housing women and Walsh housing men.

ARH also passed a resolution in support of a proposed 8 percent increase for residence hall room rates and a 3.75 percent increase in board rates for the 2016-2017 school year. These increases will be used to fund infrastructure improvements, including sprinkler systems and other safety and disability requirements, and other long-term renovations of the residence halls, according to Herman.

The cost of room and board at UND in the 2015-2016 was $7236; this is the price for a double dorm room and an unlimited meal plan. Under the proposed resolution, the 2016-2017 total cost of room and board would be just under $7630. This would be an approximately 5.4 percent increase.

Between the 2012-2013 and 2015-2016 academic years, room and board rates for the same combination of housing and meal plan has increase from $6332 to $7236. This is an average yearly increase of 4.55 percent.

In comparison, NDSU listed the cost of room and board during the 2015-2016 academic year as $7502, while University of Mary in Bismarck cost $5846.

These resolutions are an expression of ARH’s support for the two policies. Further approval is required by the university administration before final action is taken on either proposal.

Sean Cleary is the Editor-in-Chief of The Dakota Student. He can be reached at [email protected]