Shippensburg University’s Council of Trustees approved upcoming rates for on-campus housing and dining during its first meeting of 2025.
Proposed for a vote by Dean of Students Lorie Sheetz, the council approved housing and dining costs for the 2025-26 academic year and housing costs for the 2026-2027 year.
All on-campus housing, from the lowest cost of a $2,757 room in McLean to the most expensive $5,665 E suite, will see a price freeze for 25-26. The following year, most rates will increase by about $20 to $50, a B suite will go from $3,979 to $3,999 and McLean from $2,757 to $2,785.
As the university continues to deal with inflation, dining plan costs are set to increase for 25-26. The standard plan of 14 weekly meals with $300 in Flex will rise from $1,914 to $1,943, an increase of about 1.5%.
Sheetz also noted a donation of $5,000 of period products from the Proctor and Gamble distribution center on Olde Scotland Road in Shippensburg to support the university’s free period product initiative.
Vice President of Enrollment Management and Marketing Megan Luft noted an uptick in enrollment compared to spring 2024 and in the number of dual enrollment students involved in SU’s ShipStart program. With hopes to further expand the university’s dual enrollment programs, Luft said her team applied for a $1 million grant through the state government for additional funding and expects to learn more later this year.
In President Charles Patterson’s report, he updated the trustees on the ongoing search for the next Chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, noting a “desire to have a Chancellor in place sometime this year.” Chancellor Dan Greenstein announced his resignation last summer.
Before their post-meeting tour of the Milton Engineering Lab, the Trustees heard from several students involved in both the Engineering department and BAJA Club, an organization within the Society of Automotive Engineers that challenges students to design an off-road vehicle.
Marc DiPiano and James Rettew told the Trustees about the BAJA club’s work over the last two years, which involves “learn[ing] to master 3D modeling, develop hands-on problem-solving skills and get manufacturing experience in labs,” DiPiano said.
SU students involved with BAJA traveled to the national conference in 2023 and 2024 and plan to compete later this year in a national competition.
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