External Factors Affecting Room and Board Rates: How Much Influence Does the Housing Director Have?

Abstract

<p>The cost of attending college is an issue that has appeared frequently in contemporary literature (Choy & Premo, 1996; Stringer, Cunningham, Merisotist Wellman, & O'Brien, 1999; The Institute for Higher Education Policy, The Ford Foundation, & The Education Resources Institute, 1999). College costs have increased faster than median family income (Stringer, Cunningham, O'Brien, & Merisotis, 1998), and many students and their parents have underestimated the actual cost of attendance. An important element in determining the total cost of attendance is the amount students pay for room and board if they choose to live on-campus. Many experts recommend an on-campus living experience as a way to enrich a student's education (KUh, Douglas, Lund, & Ramin Gyurnek, 1994; Pascarella & Terenzini, 1991 ; Schuh, 1999).</p>