TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WAWV/WTWO) — Indiana State leaders met on the morning of Friday, Feb. 17, to discuss various topics regarding the success of diversity and inclusion at Indiana State while also talking about the budget.

Two items brought before and approved by the board included changes to the course and program-specific fees as well as an increase in student housing and dining

“As we talk about affordability as well as we’re setting housing and dining rates and fees, we are keeping this very affordable. And when we say, ‘compare us’ to our peers in the state, we are the most affordable, public campus in Indiana with a state-wide mission,” Deborah Curtis, ISU President said.

For a traditional room and standard dining plan, there will be a 1.25% increase for the 2023-2024 academic year. There will be a 1% increase for 500 Wabash and University Apartments. Students at those two facilities (500 Wabash and University Apartments) are not required to purchase a meal plan.

Curtis said that the increase is not near the cost of inflation.

“The increase we’re asking for in housing and dining doesn’t begin to cover the increase in inflation and the cost of food. But we know our students can’t afford to pay more,” Curtis added.

Curtis says that it’s no accident that ISU is the most affordable public campus in the state.

“We do that on purpose. We really make sure that students have, more affordable than anywhere else, the opportunity as well as the access.

Diversity and inclusion were both priority topics on the agenda.

“Per capita we are the most diverse public campus in the state of Indiana and yet we are not in a tremendously diverse community,” Curtis said.

Curtis said the university is working closely with the city and the county to help make the Wabash Valley a place that graduates want to stay.