EDITORIAL: How much is high rise rent?

Students shouldn't have to sign room agreements without knowing next year's rent. The Department of Housing and Residence Life should provide more information to students before applications for on-campus housing are due. It's not fair to expect students to make knowledgeable decisions about living on or off campus if they don't have all of the information. Students should not be penalized this year for cancelling their occupancy agreements if the rent prices are not available by the time drop fees are in effect. They may need to live off campus if the price of living on campus is too high for them once the University releases the room and board fees. For the past two years, rent for living in the high rises did not increase, and we appreciate the administration's consideration of students' financial needs. We are also pleased with the number of options we have with the room transfer introduced this year and the retention program and the community living program. The Biddison Hier analysis of residences and facilities is likely to recommend several improvements to the dorms -- which will probably be partially funded by rent increases. If the University is serious about getting more students to live on campus, these improvements will be necessary. At the same time, administrators need to assume this will increase rent, and they should make students aware of what the rent will be. Administrators need to get their acts together, since sign up for arena room selection is fast approaching. If our rent is going to increase, we would like to know before we sign on the dotted line.