The Inter-Residence Hall Association voted in favor of the proposed room-rate increases at its meeting Thursday.

Seventeen voted for the increase that will raise rates by varying degrees in different buildings and three abstained.

The proposal, which will take effect next year, will increase the cost an average of 7.6 percent, although exact rates will vary depending on which residence hall students live in.

Both the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa are also proposing a room-rate increase of similar proportions, said Randy Alexander, director of the Department of Residence.

The U of I proposed an increase of about $350 more than the ISU increase, whereas UNI proposed an increase of about $350 less, Alexander said.

“I believe that the proposed increase is probably a wise increase,” said Jeff Greiner, UDA president. “It doesn’t seem unreasonable. I would like to encourage the department to make sure students are first.”

Recent student layoffs within the Department of Residence were also discussed at the IRHA meeting.

Alexander said the department sent the names of students who were laid off to the financial aid department to help them find jobs that would fit their schedules.

Miscommunication caused letters to be sent by Darryl Knight, associate director of residence, informing students they would be laid off. Alexander said although they had to let students go, many who were informed that they didn’t, do still. New letters have been sent to correct the mistake.

“We cut a lot of other things first. We cut every area of the budget,” Alexander said. “This wasn’t a step that we took lightly. The reality was that we had to reach a certain target.”

The budget is not as big as people may think, he said.

“In 24 years of being a director, I’ve let off three people [until now],” Alexander said. “I don’t dislike students or student employees.”

The safety and future of student lofts was discussed during the meeting.

ISU students may not have the option of building their own lofts anymore, said John Shertzer, IRHA advisor and residence life coordinator.

“We are one of a few campuses that lets students build their own lofts,” he said.

Solutions offered included renting lofts, using lofts supplied by the university and building lofts based on certain specifications.

“The design will be focused on freestanding lofts because the general consensus is that they’re safer,” he said. “There’s a 99 percent chance that the university will no longer allow hanging lofts.”

Shertzer asked IRHA members to discuss the issue further with their constituents.

Steve Medanic and Andrew Kothenbeutel, candidates for Government of the Student Body president and vice president, respectively, also spoke at the meeting about their campaign.