The university will increase housing prices between the Spring 2010 and Fall 2010 semesters; however, the amount of the increase will not be determined until after the board of trustees’ budget discussion in May.
“I don’t anticipate that the university’s going to be in the position to increase the rates to a really high level,” Senior Director of Community Living Jeremy Leiferman said, adding that housing prices rise almost every year.
Traditionally, rooms in the Ridgewood and Foster Mod suites, which both cost $8,100 this year, are the most expensive on-campus housing. Rosenthal and Ziv quads are also generally more expensive than other options. Singles and doubles in other areas are all around the same price this year.
Trina Barnes ‘12 said the price difference will affect her housing decision.
“I actually was going to go with Ridgewood because I got a pretty good number,” Barnes said, “but I heard that it was one of the most expensive quads. Now that I heard the price is increased, I’ll have to seriously consider it.”
Not knowing the exact prices of housing before the lottery, scheduled to begin next week, is frustrating for students living on campus.
“I fell like we should know what prices are before we research what we want to do and make a decision,” Olivia Gratz ’12 said.
Leiferman, however, said the rates will probably rise in proportion to prices this year, which can help students predict what different rooms will cost in the future.
“Our advice to students is that there will be a raise in rates across the board,” he said. “There’s not been a case where we raise the rate, say 20 percent for one area and not as much for others.”
Many students see living off campus as a viable option to avoid potential high costs of living on campus. “I’m moving off campus next year because it’s cheaper, I hear,” Joe Eisenbies ’13, said.While off-campus housing is often easier for students to afford, Brandeis does consider their competition from the Waltham, Cambridge and Boston housing markets when it sets its prices.
However, Leiferman explained that many students’ choice to live off campus is based on more than money.
“I think that it has to do with the experience students are looking for,” he said.
