By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
Get our mobile app
ROCKFORD — Rockford University has decided to cutback on plans to increase the cost of its meal plan by 10%, and it will now go forward with a 5% increase instead.
The university’s board of trustees announced that decision Monday in a news release. It said the goal was to decrease student costs.
When the board made its initial decision in October, food costs were up more than 13% compared to the previous year, according to the Producer Price Index.
“Given that increase, a decision was made to increase meal plans by 10% at Rockford University,” Randy Worden, vice president for student life, said in a news release. “In an effort to decrease student costs, and with recent decreases in the Producer Price Index, RU is now able to reduce the increase to 5%.”
More news: New woman-owned business aims to brighten up Rockford with rare flowers and succulents
Students who already submitted paperwork for the 2023-2024 academic year and have received an estimated balance will have their accounts updated.
“This reduction in board rates is an important step towards making higher education more affordable and accessible to all our students,” Rockford University Interim President Patricia Lynott said in a news release. “Food insecurity in Illinois is a growing problem with one in eleven people facing hunger. Many families in our region are experiencing financial challenges and we are committed to doing everything we can to support them.”
Related: Rockford University adds cybersecurity major; announces grant tuition program
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas