Demand for On-Campus Housing Means Finding Short-Term Solutions

Photo by Kent Perrodin

Students get help moving in last fall.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — University Housing is preparing rooms for about 5,500 freshmen and continuing students who plan to attend the University of Arkansas and live on campus this fall semester.

All 18 residence halls are scheduled to be filled. There are still about 115 incoming freshmen who don’t have room assignments but Housing is ready to accommodate them as well.

“This is a short term situation and one that we are prepared to handle,” said Flo Johnson, director of University Housing. “The situation is still fluid – some students haven’t signed their housing contracts yet, others are applying late, and traditionally we always have students who cancel at the last minute. We don’t know exactly how many students will be affected, but we’ve made arrangements to be sure that the students who have short term assignments will still have an exceptional housing experience.”

Each floor in each residence hall has space set aside as a community room that can be converted into short-term housing. As with all individual rooms or suites, the community room is secure, and each student will have the same amenities, such as a bed, desk and wardrobe, that are found in every room.

Some students may be assigned to share a room with a resident assistant on their floor, again with all the individual amenities. If additional space is needed, Housing has made arrangements with a hotel near campus to provide short-term accommodations.

University Housing is in the process of contacting the students who do not have room assignments to let them know that short-term housing is available for them until permanent arrangements are made.

Historically, Housing finds permanent assignments for these students within the first few weeks of class, primarily through normal attrition.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.