Grand Valley State University approved an average increase in room and board rates of 2.4 percent for the 2017-18 academic year during its Board of Trustees meeting in Detroit Friday, Feb. 10. The housing and dining budget for next school year increased $500,000 to $54.2 million. The increase for the three primary meal plans is $75 per semester, rising from $1,475 to $1,550. The housing rate overall increased an average of 1.7 percent. The weighted average increase is $26 per semester with price changes ranging from $25 to $70 per semester, depending on housing type. Officials say the housing rates remain competitive with off-campus options and the other public four-year universities in Michigan and point out that the current meal plan is the lowest in the state.