A–3 STANDING COMMITTEES Academic and Student Affairs Committee

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Approve 2020-2021 Student Housing Rental Rates at UW Tacoma RECOMMENDED ACTION It is the recommendation of the administration and the Academic and Student Affairs Committee that the Board of Regents approve the continued use of the 2019-2020 student housing rental rates for the period of July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021, for the University of Washington Tacoma. BACKGROUND UW Tacoma Housing and Residence Life (H&RL), a partnership between Finance and Administration and Student Affairs, endeavors to provide an inclusive living-learning community that supports responsible living and academic success. Purchased in August 2016, Court 17 is UW Tacoma’s first dedicated student residence hall. It features apartment-style units and includes 50 studios, 39 one-bedroom, and 39 two-bedroom apartments. Court 17 is currently configured to house up to 304 students and live-in staff in seven different living arrangements designed to suit the varying needs of first-time first year, continuing, transfer, graduate and professional students. H&RL regularly assesses Court 17 services to align our investments with our goals and objectives. Similarly to FY20, our rate development began by assessing the local Tacoma rental market and then determining the costs for services and amenities not generally provided in the local rental market. H&RL does not assume a rate increase at the onset of our process and seeks to avoid or minimize cost impacts for our students. We also center UW Tacoma’s identity as an urban-serving university and our value for college access when designing our rate development process and determining our housing charges. STRATEGY FOR DEVELOPING THE RATE CHANGE PROPOSAL We utilized a Rental Market Analysis provided by Property Management and Development consulting firm, Blanton Turner to both update our base rent per square footage calculation and assess trends that will likely impact H&RL in the coming year.

• Approximately 600 new apartment units will be delivered to the Tacoma market through June 30, 2021. This new infusion of units is likely to cause unpredictability within the market.

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• We reviewed current trends in occupancy at Court 17. Based on current and anticipated occupancy rates, we are projected to achieve a 92.7 percent nightly occupancy.

• We reviewed resident attrition data from the last several years, and noted that there were 119 residents that submitted housing appeals to break their housing agreement. An analysis of the attrition data revealed that cost of living at Court 17 emerged as the prevailing reason residents opted to break their housing agreement. 51 of the 119 (43 percent) residents cited financial hardship for not being able to afford Court 17 rates.

• Through collaborative discussion, it was determined that given current year performance and anticipated additional unpredictability in the local market, it would not be advantageous to increase rates as this may further impact occupancy and the overall financial health of the program.

• Housing & Residence Life will focus efforts on recruitment, retention, and refinement of the residential experience and reassess rental rates for 2021-2022.

REVIEW AND APPROVAL Each year, we work with various groups to solicit and gain feedback about the on-campus living experience in Court 17. Department-level: H&RL discussed the annual budget and rates review process starting in November 2019 and continued through February 2020. Student Budget Committee: Per our May 2018 update to the Board of Regents, Housing and Residence Life convened a Student Budget Committee (SBC) that included representation from the Court 17 Residence Hall Association (RHA), Associated Students of UW Tacoma (ASUWT), Court 17 residents at-large, and UW Tacoma students at-large. The SBC is an advisory group charged with engaging students in the HRL rate development process. The Committee met three times between January 2019 and February 2019. The purpose of each meeting is summarized briefly below.

• Wednesday, January 22, 2020 – Introductions and feedback – This meeting entailed an introduction of committee members, purpose and process of rate development. The committee sought details on factors and details for creating of rates.

• Wednesday, January 29, 2020 – Resources and Student need – Committee members gathered to discuss what systems, resources, and offices are

STANDING COMMITTEES Academic and Student Affairs Committee Approve 2020-2021 Student Housing Rental Rates at UW Tacoma (continued p. 3)

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available to assist in student need. Committee members also provided context as to how students struggle with paying fees and housing rates.

• Wednesday, February 5, 2020 – Data analysis – After receiving a packet of data market analysis from our Budget and Accounting department, the committee gathered to discuss the Tacoma market analysis along with UWT Residence Life budgetary rationale for putting together rates.

Associated Students of UW Tacoma (ASUWT): In addition to representation on the Student Budget Committee, Vice Chancellor Mentha Hynes-Wilson engaged ASUWT President Vincent Da during the development process. Residential Students: On Thursday, January 30, H&RL emailed a letter to all residential students detailing the Student Budget Committee work to date, proposed 2020-2021 rates, Accounting and Budgeting data analysis packet and a link to a Frequently Asked Questions website. Additionally, H&RL staff hosted drop-in information sessions in the Court 17 lobby during the week of February 3 to answer questions and engage with residential students. Tacoma Campus Leadership: During the summer of 2019, UW Tacoma welcomed two new additions to the Student Affairs leadership team: Bernard Anderson and Ramon Borunda. Bernard Anderson serves as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Life, and oversees an expansive portfolio that includes Residence Life. Ramon Borunda serves as the Associate Director of Residence Life, a role in which he provides direct leadership and day-to-day management of Court 17. UW Tacoma Vice Chancellors Mentha Hynes-Wilson and Dr. Tye Minckler were consulted throughout the rate proposal process and sought approval from Chancellor Mark Pagano. UW Tacoma campus leadership has endorsed the proposal as submitted.

STANDING COMMITTEES Academic and Student Affairs Committee Approve 2020-2021 Student Housing Rental Rates at UW Tacoma (continued p. 4)

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TABLE A - PROPOSED RATES

TABLE B – MARKET RATE COMPARISON

# of Beds

Per Bed per Month

Academic Year Cost

# of Beds

Per Bed per Month

Academic Year Cost

Academic Year

Dollar Change

Percent Change

2 residents, furnished 58 917$ 8,253$ 58 917$ 8,253$ -$ 0.00%1 resident, furnished 16 1,407 12,663 16 1,407 12,663 - 0.001 resident, unfurnished 5 1,369 12,321 5 1,369 12,321 - 0.002 residents, furnished 72 1,037 9,333 72 1,037 9,333 - 0.001 resident, unfurnished 3 1,555 13,995 3 1,555 13,995 - 0.004 residents, furnished 144 817 7,353 144 817 7,353 - 0.002 residents, unfurnished 6 1,249 11,241 6 1,249 11,241 - 0.00

304 304944$ 8,497$ 944$ 8,497$ -$ 0.00%

TotalWeighted Average

Unit Type

FY20 FY21 Proposed

Studio

One Bed

Two Bed

SAMPLETRANSIT

MINS $ / SQ FT SQ FT AVERAGE MONTHLY $ / SQ FT SQ FT AVERAGE

MONTHLY $ / SQ FT SQ FT AVERAGE MONTHLY

PROPERTY # 1 N/A 2.91$ 537 1,563$ 2.70$ 642 1,733$ 2.51$ 993 2,492$ PROPERTY # 2 N/A 2.83 536 1,517 2.29 725 1,660 2.33 1,057 2,463 PROPERTY # 3 N/A 2.51 466 1,170 2.52 594 1,497 2.50 1,036 2,590 PROPERTY # 4 6.0 2.38 506 1,204 2.17 677 1,469 1.89 934 1,765 PROPERTY # 5 13.0 2.05 618 1,267 1.97 761 1,499 1.72 1,125 1,935 PROPERTY # 6 13.0 3.25 473 1,537 2.04 713 1,455 1.93 894 1,725 PROPERTY # 7 14.0 2.63 721 1,896 N/APROPERTY # 8 12.0 1.89 698 1,319 1.62 1,109 1,797 PROPERTY # 9 16.0 2.32 652 1,513 2.69 695 1,870 2.32 1,085 2,517 PROPERTY # 10 25.0 2.65 602 1,595 2.43 706 1,716 2.62 1,013 2,654 PROPERTY # 11 23.0 N/A 2.59 638 1,652 2.46 1,037 2,551

AVERAGE 15.3 2.53$ 565 1,409$ 2.40$ 687 1,645$ 2.19$ 1,028 2,249$

2.61$ 565 1,475$ 2.47$ 687 1,697$ 2.26$ 1,028 2,323$

$ / SQ FT SQ FT AVERAGE MONTHLY

2.45$ 760 1,832$ AVERAGE

CO MPARISO N PRO PERTIES:BELLA ON BROADWAY, MADISON25, PROCTOR STATION, STADIUM APARTMENTS, THE GRAND ON BROADWAY, THE HENRY, THE METROPOLITAN APARTMENTS, THE NAPOLEON, THEA'S LANDING, VILLAGGIO APARTMENTS, VUE25 APARTMENTS

ALL UNIT TYPES, ADJUSTED FOR MARKET GROWTH

STUDIO(414-684 SF)

ONE BED(469-811 SF)

TWO BED(738-1216 SF)

COMPARISON PROPERTIES

MARKET % GROWTH 3.03% THROUGH JUNE 2021

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TABLE C – BASE RENT COMPARISON

Attachment Presenters’ Biographical Information

$ / SQ FT SQ FT AVERAGE MONTHLY $ / SQ FT SQ FT AVERAGE

MONTHLY $ / SQ FT SQ FT AVERAGE MONTHLY

MARKET AVERAGE RENT ADJUSTED FOR % GROWTH 2.61$ 565 1,475$ 2.47$ 687 1,697$ 2.26$ 1,028 2,323$

COURT 17 BASE RENT BEFORE ADJUSTMENTS 2.32$ 535 1,241$ 2.32$ 629 1,459$ 2.32$ 965 2,239$

ONE BED TWO BED STUDIO

Presenters’ biographical information

Mentha Hynes-Wilson, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs & Enrollment Services Mentha Hynes-Wilson is the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs & Enrollment Services at the University of Washington Tacoma, serving as a core member of the campus leadership team, the chief student affairs officer and overseeing a broad range of student life programs, services and activities. A strong advocate for students and student development, Ms. Hynes-Wilson has nearly three decades of experience in higher education administration and student affairs. Her roles in leadership positions span a wide-range of public and private institutions such as Salisbury University, the University of California San Diego, Princeton University, Smith College and the University of Oregon. Hynes-Wilson is a member Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the NAACP and The Links Inc.; her past volunteer experiences include opportunities with Girls Inc., Meals on Wheels, and Dress for Success. Hynes-Wilson is also enthusiastic about engaging in community leadership, having served on the boards of Community Enrichment Incorporated and Planned Parenthood. In addition to a bachelor’s degree in Ethnic Studies, Hynes-Wilson holds a Master of Education in Educational Policy, Research and Administration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, participated in the Smith College Executive Leadership Program, and is near completion of postgraduate studies at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

Mikayle Boswell, Resident Assistant, Court 17 Apartments Mikayle Boswell (he/him/his) is a member of the Resident Assistant (RA) team at the University of Washington Tacoma. For the past year, he has established a high profile within the community and made himself available to answer questions, provide support, and point residents in the right direction. Mikayle’s academic interests are centered on the relationship between people and media, as well as understanding the process of media production. He is a Junior studying Communication and plans to work in Radio and Broadcasting industry.

ATTACHMENTA-3.1/203-20 3/12/20

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