ETSU is working to transition its final group of students from hotels into campus housing after welcoming its largest freshman class on record this fall.
“We have the largest freshman class that we’ve ever had,” said Richard Swearingen, executive director of Housing and Residence Life. “That’s a significant factor. We also have a higher number of returning students needing housing as well. So those together will generate an increased demand.”
At the start of the semester, about 110 students were placed in overflow housing at nearby hotels. Swearing said that number has dropped to roughly 30 students and is expected to reach zero by the end of September. Placement in hotels was determined by late housing applications, submitted in June and July, after all residence hall assignments had been made.
To ensure access, ETSU provided shuttle services to and from campus, running hourly loops from the hotels. Housing officials also worked to integrate students socially and academically, offering decorated move-in spaces, onboarding sessions and access to residence life programming. An ETSU resident assistant was assigned to keep hotel students connected through regular communication and group chats.
The university also completed renovations on Stone Hall, Dossett Hall and West Hall this fall, with improvements ranging from full upgrades to HVAC system repairs. The renovation of Yokeley Hall, currently underway, will add nearly 80 beds when completed in spring 2027.
“We see more students wanting to come to ETSU and more returning students wanting to live on campus,” said Sam Mayhew, associate vice president for Student Life and Enrollment. “We are even considering converting office space back into residence halls to help with additional capacity.”
Swearingen said housing growth will remain a priority as ETSU continues to plan for higher retention rates, rising off-campus housing costs and increasing enrollment. The situation, he noted, is not unusual for universities nationwide, though ETSU’s higher number of hotel placements this year made it stand out.
Housing officials are now looking at ways to better predict demand. Plans are underway to adopt new software to improve student communication and data collection earlier in the summer. That change would help identify no-shows sooner, free up rooms more quickly and reduce the need for temporary hotel housing in future semesters.
