In the past, each time students filed a housing contract they had to pay a $100 advanced housing charge. But not this year.

Instead, students returning to the dorms will have a $100 housing deposit already on file, said Chris Hurley, the assistant manager of the Assignment Office for Campus Residences.

Although some students say they are are confused, the change -- made in conjunction with Residence Life last spring -- is noted on the back of the housing contract cards, Hurley said. He said it was also stated in the housing packets recently sent to students.

"This wasn't anything secret, it was first instituted last spring," Hurley said. "But this is the first full academic year that it's been in effect." The change began in the summer of 1990.

In the past, a student would pay a $100 advanced housing payment. When an actual housing assignment was made, the $100 was then deducted from the student's estimated bill.

With the change, when the student fulfills a housing contract, the money is credited to the student's account. Any parking tickets or dorm damage charges may be deducted from the credit and the student is refunded the remainder, Hurley said.

"There was a constant need of students to file $100 every year when they put the contract in, then turn around and put in another $100," said Don Arndt, committee chairman in charge of changing the system.

"It was a lot of extra effort for the students," he said, adding the previous system of payments also burdened the administration.

The one-time $100 housing deposit is not a damage deposit, Hurley said. Rather, it is a guarantee to make sure the housing contract is fulfilled.

Hurley said the amount of the deposit will not be affected by University budget cuts because Housing and Food Services is an auxiliary department. The department is funded by room-and-board fees, not the state government.

"This is not to suggest that we're not going to take steps like our colleagues," he said. "We have to mind our P's and Q's just like we were running a business."