Housing and Cafeteria Rates Rise on Beren and Wilf Campuses

Housing and cafeteria plans for the 2022-23 academic year have risen on Wilf and Beren campus.

A Commentator review of Beren and Wilf campus housing prices found increases of varying amounts across both campuses. Cafeteria price plans on both campuses rose by 10%. 

On Wilf Campus, the cost of a standard double room in Morgenstern and Rubin Halls increased 5.3% from $9,500 to $10,000 for the 2022-23 academic year.  The cost of a standard double room in Muss Hall increased 2.2% from $6,850 to $7,000.

On Beren Campus, the cost of a standard room increased 5.3% from $9,500 to $10,000  in the 36th Street, Schottenstein and Brookdale Standard/Suite Residence Halls. In the Brookdale Deluxe and IHP 251 Lexington Residences, costs  increased at a similar rate, from $10,000 to $10,500 and $9,750 to $10,250, respectively.

The 35th Street Residence Hall had the lowest rate increase as a percentage on either campus, rising 1.6% from $12,300 to $12,500. The IHP apartments at 200 East 30th street, previously listed as independent housing apartments (IHA), increased 14.3% from $10,500 to $12,000. This increase is the largest rate increase as a percentage on either campus.

The 2022-23 rates were originally announced to students through email on May 17.

“As prices of goods and services continue to increase both nationally and locally, Yeshiva University continually explores options to mitigate, as much as possible, the impact to students and facilitate affordable living on campus,” a YU spokesperson told The Commentator. “In reassessing costs, as we do every fiscal year, it has become necessary to make modest price adjustments for campus housing, commensurate with the upkeep and management cost of each residence.”

Cafeteria plan rates increased 10% across both campuses. The most expensive plan, the “high plan,” rose from $2,000 to $2,200 per semester, the “standard plan” from $1,750 to $1,925 and, the “reduced plan” from $1500 to $1,650.  Enrolling in a cafeteria plan is mandatory for students enrolled in university housing.

Students in non-university housing are required to enroll in the “non resident plan,” which unlike the other plans, allows students to spend their funds at the cafeteria and at local venders participating in the campus dining program without restrictions. The non resident plan increased from $450 to $500.

Randy Apfelbaum, YU chief facilities & administrative officer, explained that the cafeteria plan increases were due to increased prices of kosher products and that YU is trying to keep plan prices as low as possible. “In general, the ‘buy in’ cost of the meal plans is raised so that students have enough funds in their plans to cover the cost of the meals. Food prices in general and specifically kosher prices charged by our suppliers have been increasing significantly recently and this will result in higher caf prices. We endeavor to keep these increases to a minimum wherever possible.”

“Each meal plan was increased slightly,” Apfelbaum added. “Students are free to choose any plan that works for their needs.  One can always add funds at any time during the school year.”

Some students were not happy with these increases. “As a student who lives off-campus and doesn't go to the caf all that often, it is disappointing to see a 10% price increase for meal plans,” Jacob Korman (SSSB ‘23) told The Commentator. “Off-campus students are forced to buy a meal plan, and now they all need to pay more for something that is not a necessity. Considering YU’s previous record with price hikes, this is disappointing but not at all surprising.

This comes after food prices at the cafeteria rose between the fall and spring semesters.

Other students felt similarly. “What the YU administration has been doing with prices the past few years is unacceptable,”  Ben Bruder (YC ‘24) told The Commentator, “especially in regards to the meal plan. As we all know, the YU meal plan food is insanely overpriced as it is. 

“Additionally,” Bruder added, “most other colleges only require freshmen to be on a meal plan, while YU demands it of all students of all students living on campus. I doubt any of us are looking forward to paying $15.00 for a salad this fall.”

YU housing costs are available here:

For Wilf Campus: https://www.yu.edu/student-life/housing/men

For Beren Campus: https://www.yu.edu/student-life/housing/women

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Photo Caption: Housing and cafeteria plans rose for undergraduate students

Photo Credit: The Commentator