ALLENDALE, MI - Grand Valley State University's most popular room and board plan will increase by $160 next school year.

GVSU's eight member board unanimously approved the price hike, which will bring the annual cost of a traditional style dorm room and a 14 plus meal plan to $8,360, according to university figures.

In fall 2014, more than 6,000 students chose to live on campus, and more than 8,000 students purchased a meal plan.

The increase on room and board came during the same meeting in which the board approved construction of a new, $37 million residence hall and academic building on GVSU's Allendale campus. Administrators said the building is needed to meet growing demand for on campus housing. GVSU is funding the project by taking on debt and through university savings accounts.

Brian McVicar covers education for MLive and The Grand Rapids Press. Email him at bmcvicar@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter