University of Delaware
Office of Public Relations
UpDate - Vol. 16, No. 33, May 29

            Trustees meet, approve renovations, fee changes
     
     At its semiannual meeting May 27, the University of
Delaware Board of Trustees authorized the University to
issue $15.3 million in revenue bonds to finance several
capital projects, including renovation of the traditional
residence halls on the north and south Mall.
     The bonds were issued May 15 on a fixed-rate basis,
with a maximum maturity of 26 years. J.P. Morgan & Co. was
selected as the underwriter of the 1997 bonds.
     The projects include renovation of the residence halls,
construction of a steam and chilled-water plant for the
Laird Campus and replacement of HVAC units and windows in
several dormitory facilities.
     Full funding for the project will include a second $15
million financing in approximately two years, with
additional funds coming from existing reserves and ongoing
operations.
     The board also approved increases in room and board
rates and the student comprehensive fee, effective in
September, and an increase in the Student Health Service
fee, effective in June. Annual dining plan rates will
increase an average of $70 or 3.3 percent. The cost of a 19-
meal-per-week meal plan for the year will become $2,180. The
rates for residence hall rooms will be increased an average
of 4.5 percent. The cost of a traditional multiple room,
currently $2,480 a year, will increase by $110 to $2,590. A
one-bedroom apartment in Christiana Towers will increase by
$160 from the current yearly rate of $3,510 to $3,670. The
student comprehensive fee will increase by $4 to $84 per
year.
     The Student Health Service fee will increase from $130
to $135 per semester, with the winter and summer sessions
fees remaining at their current level of $37 and $50,
respectively. Other health service fees will be increased by
an average of 3.75 percent.
     In other action, the trustees authorized:
     * renaming the Blue Ice Arena the Fred Rust Ice Arena,
      in gratitude to Edgar L. and Myrtle S. Rust for their
      support of the sport of ice skating and their desire
      to perpetuate the memory of Fred A. Rust Jr., Edgar
      Rust's late brother;
     * effective July 1, changing the five department names:
      the Department of Agricultural Engineering will
      become the Department of Bioresources Engineering;
      the Department of Biology will become the Department
      of Biological Sciences; the Department of Electrical
      Engineering will become the Department of Electrical
      and Computer Engineering; the Department of Physical
      Education, Athletics and Recreation will become the
      Department of Health and Exercise Sciences; and the
      Department of Textiles, Design and Consumer Economics
      will become the Department of Consumer Studies;
     * disestablishment of the Coordinated Undergraduate
      Program in Dietetics leading to a bachelor of human
      resources, since the program is now being offered
      through the postbaccalaureate dietetic internship
      sponsored by the Department of Nutrition and
      Dietetics, in collaboration with the Delaware
      Department of Public Health;
     * recognition of the University of Delaware Equestrian
      Team for its national championship; and
     * the president to confer degrees at Commencement May
      31.
     
     The board also elected officers for the coming year.
Chairman Andrew B. Kirkpatrick Jr. and Vice Chairman Howard
E. Cosgrove were re-elected, and Robert A. Fischer Jr. was
elected to serve as secretary-treasurer.