Many of you recently received an email from our bffls, the Columbia Trustees, stating that they decided to charge you more to live here next year. The rates increased anywhere from $25-$35 depending on your dorm, and the new price is already reflected on the StarRez Portal. Before you go lawyer up (read: call your dad), be warned that there is a clause near the bottom of your housing contract stating that the rate is subject to change based on decisions by the Board of Trustees, so this little hijinx is totally legal.

Read the email below—the bracketed text was added by us.

Dear [name],

We write to inform you that the Board of Trustees met last weekend to finalize rates for 2012-2013. As a result, there will be a slight increase in room rates of approximately $25 to $35 per term depending on your assigned building.

The room rate for your Academic Year 12-13 room in [dorm] will be $[a bigger number than before].  This room rate will now be displayed on your Status page or Occupancy Agreement page of your Academic Year 12-13 Housing Portal Application (https://housingportal.columbia.edu).

Since you have already signed your Occupancy Agreement, you do not need to do anything at this time.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.  Please let us know if you have any questions.

Enjoy the summer! [ ;D ]