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Nia Johnson, the president of the SA and a senior majoring in human development, explained that she does not believe this lack of transparency between the SA and the student body was intentional, though she agreed that there has been an overall lack of communication.

“[Neither] Congress, nor the Executive Board, goes out of their way to keep our meeting locations private,” Johnson wrote in an email. “When students approach me I gladly tell them ‘Congress is on Tuesday ([with the] specific date) at 7 p.m. in Lecture Hall 7,’ and invite them to join Congress as well. Our speaker also ends each meeting with, ‘Invite your friends and peers to Congress,’ so I do think the bottom line is that we rely too much on word of mouth.

I do believe though that we as an organization can do better with broadcasting when Congress is meeting and using our resources such as ‘SA Line’ to let students know.” the cost to live in dormitories and on-campus apartment complexes by about 21 percent from 2015 — the oldest year with available public figures. The increase from a crosscampus average of $11,717 to $12,159 is the largest jump in recent history.

Paola Mignone, Ph.D. ‘21, the assistant vice president for residential experiences and auxiliaries, explained the annual process behind deciding the new rates.

“The process involves representatives from a committee consisting of administrative areas involved in operating the residence halls meeting with students from the residential community governments,” Mignone wrote in an email. “Factors that influence rate increases include construction costs for annual repairs and renovations, utilities, furniture replacement, salaries and fringe [benefits] for University staff.”

Mignone further described student housing capacity as “at essentially 100 percent,” and explained that a waiting list is typically needed for returning students. She confirmed that the total cost of Universitymanaged housing is included in the cost of attendance figure, which is used to determine financial aid awards.

Eliana Sastow, a senior majoring in psychology, expressed a belief that housing access should be equitable, regardless of profits.

“Housing is an integral part of campus life,” Sastow said. “It’s a way to make friends and feel comfortable at the

University. It should be an equal right for everyone, no matter their socioeconomic status.”

According to the University’s cost of attendance estimator, both in- and out-of-state students are paying over 16 percent more than six years ago to attend BU.

In addition, students living on lower campus — College-in-the-Woods (CIW), the Dickinson Community, Mountainview College, Newing College and Hinman College — must purchase a resident meal plan from BU Dining Services (BUDS). Currently, Meal Plan C, the default option, costs $5,900 per academic year — $1,900 of which is allotted to students as dining dollars, while the remaining $4,000 goes toward “membership fees.” According to BUDS, membership fees cover non-food costs incurred in the operation of dining halls, including labor, supplies, utilities and maintenance.

The proposed administrative changes mirror the national trend of increasing college costs.

According to a report published by the Minneapolis branch of the Federal Reserve, sticker prices at public institutions have risen more rapidly than their private counterparts since 1990. The central bank further stated that price increases were the result of rising economic inequality — leading to a “cascading series of effects,” including some lower and middle-class families opting out of higher education.

Matthias Cho, a junior majoring in business administration, discussed how rising costs on campus informed his housing decision for the next academic year.

“When deciding where to live next year and looking at the rates between U Club [Binghamton] and Hillside, I saw that they were similarly priced,” Cho said. “I chose U Club because it is around the same price for a much better place.”

Joshua Kim, a first-year graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in accounting, described his experience in the apartments community.

“Building-wise, I think it needs a little updating,” Kim said. “I think it would be great if [Residential Life] renovated the buildings, [as] they’re a little old and a bit dirty. It would be nice to have air conditioning.”

Minutes are taken at every single meeting by a minute taker, Johnson proceeded to clarify. However, she added that the person who updates the SA website will only do it at the “discretion of the page owner.” As the SA president, it is her duty to ensure that throughout each semester the office hours of the E-Board and staff members in charge of each office is submitted to the staff member so that they can be updated on the website.

Johnson explained why the process behind posting meeting minutes may periodically fail.

“The same goes for the speaker of Congress — it is their duty to send the meeting minutes to our staff member in order for the website to be updated,” Johnson wrote. “If none of this is done, the staff member cannot update the website, seeing how it is not their top priority since they have tens of other tasks they must complete in order for the SA to support, not only the students but the company as well.”

SA meeting locations and times will begin to be sent out via SA Line as well as through the SA’s Instagram story when Congress is gathering, Johnson wrote.

Johnson described why she believes that transparency as a whole between a student body government and the student body themselves is important for the Binghamton University community.

“Transparency is key in order for there to be a strong sense of trust among students on campus,” Johnson wrote. “It is best to allow students to know the information if they can rather than keep it a secret and leave students wondering.”

As stated by the SA Constitution, Article II, Section F, not only are students allowed to attend public sessions, but they are also allowed to make public comments.

Amari Pavati, a freshman majoring in classics, Greek and Latin, explained his thoughts about the need for transparency between the

SA and BU students.

“For clubs, SA is the decision maker for funding so transparency holds them accountable,” Pavati said. “For everyone else, they’re elected officials chosen by the student body, so they have a responsibility to be transparent.” its governing is important,” Keenan said. “It’s important to know you are being accurately and fairly represented and that what you want is what the people who are representing you are advocating for.”

Jo Keenan, a freshman majoring in integrative neuroscience, expressed their opinion on why the publicity of meetings can be helpful.