Housing costs frozen at YSU, remain lowest in the state

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"13136","attributes":{"class":"media-image alignright size-full wp-image-15456","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"295","height":"458","alt":"Screen Shot 2016-03-01 at 10.05.45 AM"}}]]Youngstown State University will freeze room and board fees for next academic year, ensuring that YSU will remain the least expensive Ohio public university campus for students to live. “We are committed to providing a full, rewarding university experience for all of our students at a value price,” said Eddie Howard, YSU associate vice president for Student Experience. “By freezing our room and meal plan fees, YSU will continue to be the most affordable campus in the state and across the region for students to live and learn.” The room-and-board fees for YSU residence halls will remain $8,990 for next academic year. That’s the lowest cost among Ohio’s comprehensive, four-year public universities. By comparison, for example, annual fees are $11,626 at the University of Akron and $11,014 at Kent State University. In addition to the low room and meal costs, YSU’s tuition is the lowest among the state’s largest public universities, $1,620 under the statewide average. “Keeping tuition and housing affordable is part of our commitment to help students succeed, graduate on time, with a job and with little or no debt,” YSU President Jim Tressel said. The university’s five residence halls house nearly 870 students. The university also owns the Courtyard Apartments on the east side of campus, with 408 beds. Pending action by the Board of Trustees in March, rent for the Courtyard Apartments will also be frozen for next academic year: $780 a month for a one bedroom, $660 a month for a two bedroom, and $570 a month for a four bedroom. In addition to university-owned housing, several private housing options are available to students, including the 112-bed Flats at Wick. Also, Hallmark Campus Communities plans to open for the start of this Fall semester a 162-bed apartment building along Rayen Avenue between Fifth and Belmont avenues. Plans are also in the works for another private apartment complex on Wick Avenue, between Lincoln ad Rayen avenues. “As YSU expands its footprint for enrollment, we anticipate increased demand for housing on and around campus,” said Danielle Meyer, director of YSU Housing and Residence Life. “It’s important that we continue to provide quality room and board at a competitive price.”