Costs - CMU Biological Station on Beaver Island

2024 Rates

Here's a breakdown of costs associated with your stay at the field station.

Tuition

Tuition rates and fees for all CMU courses are established by the CMU Board of Trustees and are based on academic class status. View tuition rates. Registration for CMUBS courses through CentralLink begins in February. Once you are registered, you will be sent housing information.

Workshops

Workshop fees are calculated at $325/credit hour. Participants must make a $50 deposit to reserve space in the workshop and reserve housing. See the Workshop page for more detail.

Food and housing

For more information on housing accommodations, visit our Housing page. Housing costs include dining hall meals. Food and housing rates are subject to change without notice.

CMU student rates

Housing costs include 3 meals per day at the dining hall.

  • Dorm - Daily Rate (per person, per day): $59
  • Cabin - Daily Rate (per person, per day): $59
  • Campsite - Daily Rate (per person, per day): $55

Rates for mission-aligned groups including workshop participants 

Mission-aligned rates for all guests who are NOT CMU students enrolled in class at the CMUBS.

  • Dorm (per person, per day): $72 ($67 if you apply before May 1)
  • Cabin (per person, per day): $72 ($67 if you apply before May 1)
  • Campsite (per person, per day): $65 ($62 if you apply before May 1)
  • Faculty/Staff/Researcher Housing (per person, per day): $105 ($90 if you apply before May 1)
  • Immediate family members staying with faculty/staff/researcher in space provided while on CMU business (rates are per person, per day): $45 (13 and older), $27 (ages 5-12)

Per meal rates for mission-aligned day visitors

For visitors not lodging at the Biological Station

  • Breakfast: $11
  • Lunch: $15
  • Dinner: $19

Rates for non-mission-aligned groups

Rates for guests attending non-mission-aligned activity at the facility, status will be determined by CMUBS staff.

Room and board

  • Dorm (per person, per day): $137
  • Cabin (per person, per day): $137
  • Campsite (per person, per day): $116
  • Faculty/Staff/Researcher Housing (per person, per day): $207
  • Immediate family members staying with faculty/staff/researcher in space provided (rates are per person, per day): $72 (13 and older), $50 (ages 5-12)

Room only

  • Dorm (per person, per day): $65
  • Cabin (per person, per day): $65
  • Campsite (per person, per day): $44
  • Faculty/Staff/Researcher Housing (per person, per day): $135

Per meal rates for non-mission-aligned day visitors

For visitors not lodging at the Biological Station

  • Breakfast: $18
  • Lunch: $21
  • Dinner: $33

Note

  • First cancellation of a reservation results in disqualification on eligibility for discounted rates
  • Second cancellation of a reservation disqualifies you from making future reservations

Auditorium, classrooms, labs, boats and tour rates

  • Auditorium Use: $150 per day, 1-7 hours
  • Bench Use (for individuals): $25 per day
  • Classroom/Lab Use (for groups): $100 per day
  • Lost Key: $50
  • CMUBS Group Tour Daily Charge: $150 per van, up to 3 hours ($50 per hour beyond 3 hours)
  • Vehicle use/Mileage Charge: $1.35/mile
  • MV Chippewa Vessel for Research or Tour: $95/hour plus 1.5 hours ($142.50) for preparation and cleanup of vessel, plus $8.00/gallon fuel used
  • CMUBS Motorized Vessels (under 20ft): $30/day or $150/week, plus rate of $35/hr for CMU pilot, plus $35/hr for preparation and transport to/from boat launch, plus $8.00/gallon fuel used
  • CMUBS Shock Boat: $60/day or $300/week, plus rate of $35/hr for CMU pilot, plus $35/hr for preparation and transport to/from boat launch, plus $8.00/gallon fuel used
  • CMUBS Non-motorized Vessels/Canoes: $5/day or $25/week, plus $35/hr for preparation and transport to/from boat launch
  • Conference Fee: contact cmubs@cmich.edu
  • Special Event Dining Room Use: $150 per day
  • Special Event Catering: contact cmubs@cmich.edu
  • Mesocosm Start-Up Fee (one time): $300
  • Mesocosm Weekly Use Fee: $75
  • Mesocosm Maintenance (daily): $15
  • Mesocosm Electricity (hourly): $30

Questions? Please email cmubs@cmich.edu for more information.