Penn State, over Wolf objections, boosts room and board fees

HERSHEY, Pa. -- Penn State students will be paying about 3.9 percent more next year for room and board, despite objections from a senior aide to Gov. Tom Wolf.

The university's trustees voted Friday for higher rates that would increase the average cost for standard double room and most common meal plan by nearly $200 to $5,075 per semester.

Officials say the jump is being driven by higher food and utility costs, payroll demands and other expenses.

Wolf's policy secretary, John Hanger, says the governor doesn't support increases above the rate of inflation. Hanger represents the governor as a nonvoting member of the board.

The increase is an average. Housing rates vary across the Penn State system.