By Jim Cline

AMHERST, Mass. (abc40) -- Family Housing at the University of Massachusetts Amherst announced a 6 percent rent increase this past April.  The University says its due to the rising cost of maintaining the units, but they haven't produced any maintenance figures and some of the tenants are questioning just how much is or isn't being spent on maintenance. 

They say they have skunks, cockroaches and dirty laundry facilities, and many of them have not signed a new lease agreement. They are paying their rent per their old agreement.  Housing is cashing those checks, but the sheriff's department arrived earlier this week with 93 eviction notices.  

Some are being told they could be withdrawn from school, and the international graduate students are worried about their visas.  

A letter from Jorge Gomez, the family housing manager, states "In addition to activating the Administrative Withdrawal process, failure to either make full payment or to meet with the Family Housing Manager will ultimately result in very expensive legal proceedings, the costs of which will be borne by the affected resident."