The Office of Residential Living increased laundry rates by 25 cents to $1.75 per load of laundry this summer —the first price increase in four years—in an effort to keep up with rising maintenance costs, according to a campuswide email from the Office of Residential Living on Sept. 1.

A full load of washing and drying now costs $3.50, an increase of over 15 percent. Neighboring D.C. institutions such as The George Washington University and American University match Georgetown’s new rate at $1.75 per load of laundry.

According to the Assistant Dean for Residential Living Stephanie Lynch, new laundry room equipment and increasing maintenance costs caused the rate increase.

“The laundry prices have been stable, as there have been no increases in price in the last four years,” Lynch said. “The increase was to help pay for new laundry room GOCard readers and offset other maintenance cost increases.”

The laundry machines in the Southwest Quad were all replaced over the summer, and a new technician was added to the team in response to student concerns during the previous academic year. In addition, new GOCard readers were installed in laundry rooms around campus.

Kate Amarell (COL ’18), a resident assistant in Nevils Hall, said that the price increase could add additional financial burdens on students.

“From the perspective of an RA, it’s really important that we keep these amenities accessible for students,” Amarell said. “Laundry costs should not be a cause of stress for the residents, and I definitely feel like they may be becoming one.”

Nikhil Mendiratta (MSB ’19), however, said the increase in price is worth the improved service quality, especially in the new Pedro S. Arrupe, S.J. Residence Hall.

“I’m happy to pay a little extra for an improvement in functionality — which I’ve actually seen since I’m living in Arrupe this year (the machines are all new),” Mendiratta wrote in an email to The Hoya.