The current and upcoming year for campus is set to see new changes for housing as we face a continuing rise in student enrollment. The university has been working hard in order to accommodate students’ housing needs through restructuring on-campus housing.
“We’re always looking to, like I say, try to improve on our facilities, on our policies, on our support efforts and partnering,” says Director of Housing and Residence Life Bonnie Burchett.
The most prominent change to on-campus housing comes in the form of redistribution in Buccaneer Ridge phase one and two. These current two-person apartments will be converted to house four people. This change will also reserve spaces for students who are part of specific living and learning communities, as well as ROTC. Students leaving phase one and two will receive priority for their reassignment application reviews.
Another major change for housing is the renovation of Powell Hall, which will be completed in time for fall semester. Stone Hall is also set to undergo a complete renovation beginning next December.
West Hall, which originally operated as three-person rooms and over time came to occupy two per room, will revert to its old occupancy in order to house at full capacity.
“We still try to be cognizant of our resources and provide as much as we can but still try to keep it affordable,” says Burchett. “There is a bottom line. I can’t spend more than I bring in, you know? I’ve got to stay within a budget. . . and you try to stretch it as far as you can but when we make these decisions, we hope that we’re helping a lot more students than are negatively affected.”
Why are these changes being made? Housing and Residence Life is working hard to accommodate every student in need of housing, factoring in the rising prices of off-campus options, the 2,009 students who submitted reapplications before this year’s deadline, and the incoming students seeking housing. The changes being made have opened up over 300 extra beds for students.
When asked about the possibility of building a new residence hall, Burchett explained that the University can only build a new residence hall after receiving state approval. In order to obtain approval, a strong case must be made showing significant financial and capacity need. The university is making strides to prove the capacity need through implementing these resizing changes.
“We want it to be a good experience living on campus and (the students) can say that it’s been worth it and they’ve enjoyed their time getting to meet people, making connections but feeling safe, feeling supported,” says Burchett.
