The Penn State Board of Trustees today (Jan. 6) approved a proposal that adjusts room and board rates for the spring 2021 semester in recognition of the University’s decision that Penn State will delay the start of in-person classes until Feb. 15.
On Wednesday, Penn State s Board of Trustees approved a proposal to reduce the cost of room and board for students living on campus in light of the delay of in-person classes until Feb. 15.
The rate for a double room has dropped from $3,427 to $2,754, a reduction of $673.
The price for a mid-level meal plan has been lowered by $284, from $2,449 to $2,165.
The rate for a student living in a double room and with a mid-level meal plan is $4,919 for the spring semester as opposed to the previous rate of $5,876. This reduced the price of room and board by 16.3% for students.
In-person classes were initially set to begin on Jan. 19.
The board’s ruling comes after the university announced it would
delay the start of in-person classes to February 15. As such, on-campus students will remain at home until then while dorms are closed.
Under the new proposal, standard double room rates for the semester were lowered to $2,754, a drop of $673. Meanwhile, mid-level meal plan costs were lowered by $284, settling at $2,165.
Adjusted University Park room and board rates
Adjusted spring 2021 meal plan rates
Originally, standard double rooms for the academic year cost $3,426 per semester, while mid-level meal plans sat at $2,449 per semester. Combined, the reductions will save those living in a standard double on a mid-level meal plan 16.3%.
Wed January 06, 2021 - Northeast Edition
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Bally s Corporation plans to build a $120 million casino, which will include sports-betting facilities, near Penn State University in State College, partnering on the project with former university trustee Ira Lubert.
Bally s announced the project Jan. 4, calling it a Category 4 casino that will feature 30 table games, up to 750 slot machines and retail sports betting. The company said the casino will be located near the Nittany Mall, located approximately 4 mi. from the Penn State campus.
Construction is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2021 and take one year, the company said in a statement. It will be the first Bally s casino in Pennsylvania. The company owns or manages 11 properties and is in the process of acquiring three more.
IMAGE: Patrick Mansell
Next, Seymour provided context for the commission’s recommendation for a truth and reconciliation process, explaining “In order to identify a pathway toward healing, restoration and rehabilitation, we must acknowledge where we have been and where we are today and, to do this, it’s important for us to look at the past, as well as the present.”
Through dialogue in these areas, the commission hopes such a process might help establish increased engagement from the Penn State community, believing that restorative justice and restorative practices that are centered on mediation and healing communities rather than on punishment are important tools for working toward lasting change.