A Government of the Student Body presidential candidate distributed false information on Monday about the proposed 7.5 percent increase in residence hall rates, according to members of the Inter-Residence Hall Association.

GSB candidate Chris Wisher placed a written statement inside every mailbox in residence halls, alerting students that the increase is “unfair,” and saying he would take a stand against it as president.

“I intend to fight this increase with real numbers and real alternatives. But I need to show them that I have your support. Together we can turn my campaign into a referendum against this unfair rent increase,” the letter stated.

But members of IRHA, who said the letter provided incorrect information, retaliated with new fliers. Jay McLaren, president of IRHA, said he and other residence hall presidents distributed the corrective fliers.

McLaren said the contention that renovations to Maple Hall would be entirely funded by next year’s room and board rates was unfounded.

“Some things [Wisher] said were misleading,” he said. “One of the main ones is that he fought hard against the increase, when he hasn’t even talked to Randy [Alexander, director of Residence], who is in charge.”

McLaren said the Maple Hall renovation statement made by Wisher was somewhat true, because 4 percent of the 11 percent room rate increase is going to the Maple renovations.

He said despite Wisher’s alleged comments, GSB has no part in residence hall issues.

“GSB has absolutely nothing to do with the Department of Residence budget. It’s only IRHA,” he said. “The only way he could have something to do with it is if he worked with IRHA or if he lobbied the Board of Regents to reject the budget.”

But Wisher said his actions were in response to the IRHA’s bias toward the proposal. As current Towers Residence Association senator, he said he felt students in residence halls were not given a voice.

“My argument is that [IRHA members] were biased in favor of the proposal,” Wisher said.

“I felt by doing that, IRHA wasn’t doing their jobs. As an elected representative of the people at Towers, I felt no one was speaking for the people at Towers; that’s why I sent the letter,” he said.

“The fliers were correct in that [IRHA] involvement has not been requested. They’re upset that I stepped on their toes,” he said.

Wisher said despite IRHA’s contention, Maple Hall renovation costs, estimated at about $13.9 million actually would be paid for out of residents’ pockets.

“The renovations are being paid for by both the increase and the reserve fund,” he said. “[Students] are paying for them, even though it’s not stated outright.”

Wisher said the purpose of his letter was to propose that renovation costs be spread over five years and remain “revenue neutral.”

Mike Robert, president of the Union Drive Association, said he is uncertain of Wisher’s intentions.

“He’s trying to get the vote, I guess,” Robert said. “He had the opportunity to get the correct information,” Robert said.

“He’s trying to make everyone think as president he can have a say in it,” McLaren added. “Before he gets into office, the Board of Regents will have approved it.”

But Wisher insisted the letter was not entirely related to his campaign for GSB president.

“That is not my only motive; I sent the letter as a senator. It is an attempt to educate students and make my platform known. By electing me, they’ll elect someone who isn’t willing to take the backseat,” Wisher said.