Growing Pains: Demand for On-Campus Housing Requires Adjustments

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A welcome sign of a robust and growing university-an increase in requests for on-campus housing-has created the need for special measures to cope with demand.

According to officials at UA Housing, approximately 36 students who signed contracts for on-campus housing are still to be placed. UA Housing staff and student affairs staff are working overtime to remedy the situation.

In early August, the university’s number of unassigned residents was at 342, significantly larger than the current 36. University Housing ceased accepting contracts on Aug. 8. The number of unassigned students will continue to change as the beginning of the semester approaches and further adjustments are made, but no further requests for on campus housing can be accepted for this year.

“Many of the students who are assigned temporary housing signed contracts in mid-May through the end of July,” said Johnetta Cross Brazzell, vice chancellor for student affairs. “This is a positive sign that indicates housing is doing a good job of serving its customers. It also shows that the campus is an inviting place to live with so many amenities available here."

Admissions and orientation counselors are working to keep students informed regarding the situation.

“We’re excited so many students are coming in, and we want to make sure we provide them with everything they need to be successful here,” said Dawn Medley, UA director of admissions. “And staff members at the university are doing everything possible to see to that.”

The university does not make early projections regarding fall enrollment. But encouraging maximum occupancy of campus residences is part of the overall plan to support student retention and graduation. Many studies show that students who reside on campus tend to be more successful in completion of degrees.

As of Aug. 8, the university ceased taking any fall contracts, including those of freshmen.  Freshmen, who are normally required to live on campus, will be given permission by UA Housing to live off-campus.

Campus housing is assigned first-come-first-served on a rolling basis, but students are encouraged to return their housing contracts as early as possible. All students who contracted for housing by May 1 have been assigned a residence hall room.

 “We encourage prospective students to apply for housing by Jan. 1 prior to the fall semester they plan to attend,” said Randy Alexander, director of housing.

Overflow has occurred in previous years. In the most recent instance, some students were lodged temporarily in local hotels. That will not be the case in this instance.

This week, to begin addressing the situation, students who signed up for a single room in rooms that usually accommodate double occupancy were informed that they would be given other options.

Those 94 students have been offered three options: take a roommate; cancel their housing contract with a full refund of prepayment; or move to Carlson Terrace and share a two-bedroom apartment with one other student.  The last option still allows them to have a single bedroom.

Fourteen other students will be assigned to Phoenix House, and two resident assistants each in Buchanan-Droke and Gladson-Ripley will be moved to space formerly used as hall director apartments, opening up space for four more freshmen.

Some incoming students will be housed in study rooms in Gibson, Holcombe, Humphreys and Yocum Halls.  Those students will be moved into regular rooms first, as space becomes available.

Further adjustments will be made as students respond to notification of changes necessary.  Adjustments to housing assignments will continue to be made as students finalize housing decisions based on the latest information from University Housing.

One of the reasons for the current situation, according to Alexander, director of housing, is that more students are waiting to apply for housing only weeks and days before classes begin.

Students have received notification that they have assigned to temporary housing throughout the summer, as they complete the housing application process.

Officials are particularly focused on the housing needs of freshmen, who are generally required to live on campus their first year. The UA Office of Non-Traditional and Commuter Students is working with UA Housing to find close-by off-campus accommodations on Razorback Transit routes.

In the past, overflow housing demands were usually alleviated through attrition of students who left the university after only a few days or weeks on campus, freeing rooms. Last year, though, only 30 students left university housing during the fall semester. Housing officials believe the trend, a good sign for student achievement and improved satisfaction with housing, will continue this year.

In the meantime, first-time students who plan on attending the University this spring need to return their housing contracts as soon as possible after being admitted to the university

“For those who want to move on campus in spring, or who will join us in the spring for their first semester at the U of A, it’s not too early to apply,” said Alexander.