Trustees approve room and board rates

Demand continues to outstrip supply for Grand Valley's approximately 5,320 beds. The university's Board of Trustees set housing and meal plan rates for the next fiscal year Tuesday.

The board approved a $38.1 million housing budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year, up from $35.7 million in 2008-09. The weighted average of the increase is 3.82 percent. The individual rate increase is higher for certain high-demand units and lower for lower-demand units.

In other business, the Board of Trustees:

• Approved the acquisition of property at 4273 Fillmore for $325,000. The 4.75-acre property just south of the Allendale Campus contains a 6,000-square-foot building, which will be used by the university for equipment storage.

• Approved an honorary degree for Grand Rapids Press editor Mike Lloyd, to be conferred at the April commencement.