Students wishing to live in renovated residence halls next year can expect to pay a bit more than others.

Director of Residence Randy Alexander said residents of Maple Hall will have to pay about 10 percent more than the normal increase after the dormitory’s completion next year.

He said the costs of the rooms in the non-renovated residence halls will increase about 5 percent because of inflation and increased costs of maintenance.

“It’s kind of like a menu,” Alexander said. “If you want the lower-priced rooms, you can have them.”

Alexander said Department of Residence officials expect a long line of students wanting to live in Maple Hall.

Associate Director of Residence Gary Schwartz said the Department of Residence used surveys to determine what changes would be most popular with the students.

Alexander said the renovations include sinks in every room, private baths and a kitchen and computer lab on every floor.

“We anticipated these are the things students want,” Schwartz said.

“They will have small amenities that others don’t have,” Schwartz said. “We’ll be providing a greater amount of space and services.”

Alexander said suite-style residence halls also are on the way, and students can expect to pay close to 15 percent more than the normal increase for those rooms.

The suite-style rooms will not be completed for another two or three years, and Alexander said non-renovated dorm rooms will be available for a number of years.

Schwartz said the main differences between the suite-style rooms and the Maple Hall renovations will be the location of restrooms and showers.

He said in the suite-style rooms, the restroom and shower will be located in the room, as opposed to across the hall as in Maple Hall.

Even with the increases, Alexander believes Iowa State’s room and board rates are still a good buy.

“We’re probably the cheapest deal in town,” he said. “Iowa State has one of the best [rates] in the country.”

He said there are currently eight schools in the Big 12 with higher room and board rates, and ISU is the lowest among the land-grant universities.

“I don’t think most students realize the deal [we offer them],” Alexander said. “Any way you measure it, room and board at Iowa State is [among] the lowest in the country.”

Some students think paying the extra 10 percent would be worth it.

Corbin Winter, junior in management and information systems, used to live in Towers Halls, and he said a little extra money would not deter him from living in a renovated room.

“I felt the Towers were somewhat rundown,” Winter said. “I would definitely pay a little more for a nicer room.”

Kelly Johnson, junior in child and family services and resident of Elm Hall, also thinks the differential is fair.

“Basically, it’s going to be a nicer place, and the extra money is going to be worth the conveniences,” Johnson said.