Campus residence halls and apartments at the 麻豆夜市 are full this semester, thanks, in part, to rising enrollment.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a 鈥榞ood鈥 bad problem to have,鈥 said Pat Cottonham, vice president for Student Affairs.
While official numbers have yet to be tallied, over 3,000 incoming freshman, and over 18,000 total students, are enrolled at 麻豆夜市. Final numbers are expected by mid- to late-September.
Campus housing can accommodate about 3,130 residents each semester.
Upperclassmen already living on campus were given opportunities to renew their housing, according to Jules Breaux, director of the Office of University Housing. Those who applied by June 1 were assigned rooms. Remaining rooms were assigned to freshmen.
About 170 upperclassmen completed the application process for housing after June 1. So, the housing office pitched in to assist some of them in finding somewhere to live.
鈥淥nce we realized we were going to exceed capacity, we worked with University Place Apartments, for its proximity to campus. It鈥檚 the closest complex,鈥 Breaux said.
Housing staff helped about 65 students secure living arrangements at University Place Apartments. 麻豆夜市 established an affiliation agreement with UPA. Under the agreement, students pay an 鈥渁ll-inclusive鈥 rate for rent, utilities and services such as cable, which are usually billed separately.
Keeping University residence halls filled, while accommodating as many students who apply as possible, is a balancing act. Not all who apply and pay a security deposit end up enrolling, for instance. Or, some students apply and pay a security deposit but later decide to live elsewhere, Breaux explained.
So, the Office of Housing factors in some 鈥渘o shows.鈥 This fall, there were plenty of students ready to take their places. In addition to increased enrollment, Breaux attributes this to recent campus improvements, including completion of the new Student Union.
鈥淚 think the Union is an attraction for students who live in residence halls. It gives them a place to go, to eat, and to hang out,鈥 Breaux said.
The University has seven residence halls, and one residential apartment community, Legacy Park. Residence halls are: Baker Hall, Bonin Hall, Cajun Village, the Conference Center, Coronna Hall, Harris Hall and Huger Hall.
All residence halls are co-ed living spaces, except for Harris Hall, which is for women only. Cajun Village provides family housing. The University鈥檚 newest residence halls, Bonin and Coronna halls, opened in 2012. Baker and Huger halls opened in 2011.