HERSHEY -- Students will see a 3.4 percent increase on room and board rates next year.

The cost for a double room and meal plan number three will be $3,650 for the 1992-93 school year up from $3,530. This is for a standard double room, used by more than 78 percent of on-campus undergraduates, and meal plan number three, which is equivalent to 32,000 food points.

The University Board of Trustees approved the change on Saturday.

The increases are based mostly on inflation, said William McKinnon, associate vice president for business and operations.

"We've been trying to hold the increases close to inflation and (the percentage figure) is pretty good," McKinnon said.

The Office of Housing and Food Service Operations budget does not receive state funding. Instead, all budget funds come from monies paid by students and guests for lodging and food.

Some students don't care for the increase.

"I think it's too high," said Angela Kovacsofsky (sophomore-psychology).

Although Kovacsofsky, who resides in Stone Hall, will live in an apartment next year, she said the cost of on-campus living is high enough. Tuition is already high, she said, and raising room and board rates is too much.

"Well, I don't think that it's fair," echoed Cheralyn Grass (sophomore-biochemistry).

But other students didn't think the increase was significant.

"It doesn't seem ridiculously bad," said Lee Price (junior-meteorology).

Although it could hurt some students with financial problems because of the current economy, the Hamilton Hall resident said the increase wasn't too drastic.

Curt Rodgers (freshman-film), a Packer Hall resident, said the increase is expected and didn't consider it unfair.

The board also approved increases in housing at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Price increases ranged from $5 a month for a one-bedroom apartment to $20 a month for a four-bedroom furnished apartment.

The University houses a combined total of about 17,000 students at all campuses.