Tiger Diggs and Mizzou Quads work out transportation issues
Extended student housing increases campus bus routes.
Published Sept. 8, 2008
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Sophomore Bryan Davis and freshmen Mizzou Quads residents Chris Bogerding and Jon Cleair wait for a bus to campus on Aug. 28 at Campus Lodge. Bus routes have been expanded from both the Campus Lodge and Campus View apartment complexes to help accommodate freshmen in the "extended campus" program this year.
Students have been settled in at the MU's new Extended Housing for about three weeks now, and so far have few complaints.
The main concern on most students' minds since moving in at Tiger Diggs at Campus View or Mizzou Quads at Campus Lodge has been the transit system.
To make sure that the freshman without cars now living off campus could make it to class on time, MU Parking and Transportation Services worked closely with the City of Columbia's bus system.
To compensate for the increased number of commuters, the city extended its campus bus routes to include the apartment complexes, doubling some routes. Kristen Temple, residential academic programs associate director, said many students living at Campus View and Campus Lodge who aren't members of the extended housing system have also been enjoying the extended transit system.
Initially the city buses couldn't handle the number of students commuting.
"One of my buddies missed class because of it," said freshman Chris Dirnberger, who lives at Mizzou Quads.
Dirnberger has a car, but said getting to the bus stop early is the best way to prevent being left behind.
Sophomore Geordan Smith, a peer adviser, expressed concern about the weekend bus schedule.
"I've never seen them," Smith said.
In response to concerns about the transit problem, Temple said MU is continuing to work with the city on transportation issues.
Transportation aside, residents and staff at Mizzou Quads are working on developing the sense of community.
The Hall Olympics, which will pit different buildings against each other, is set to begin this week. Peer advisers helped organize the event.
Smith, who is responsible for 95 students at Mizzou Quads, also mentioned a tailgate for residents before football games.
Temple mentioned that Residential Life is also working with the property managers at Mizzou Quads and Tiger Diggs to organize events that both campus housing and general residents can participate in.
"It's been a really collaborative give and take with the property managers out there," Temple said.
Freshman Adam Notch, a Mizzou Quads resident, said his fraternity recruitment chairman recommended he move into the extended campus system. Notch said the mandatory meal plan is problematic, forcing him to balance when he eats on and off campus.
Residential Life Director Frankie Minor said in a previous interview the purpose of the meal plan is to get students out of their apartments and help them meet people on campus.
Dirnberger said his parents were impressed with the new digs.
"They asked if they could move in," Dirnberger said.