More upperclassman choosing on-campus living
Residential Life has seen a spike in upperclassmen living on campus.
Published Aug. 28, 2009
The percentage of upperclassmen returning to residence halls increased this fall, Residential Life Director Frankie Minor said.
Minor said for many years the general breakdown of students living on campus was roughly 70 percent freshmen, 20 percent sophomores and less than 10 percent upperclassmen, many of whom were student staff. Although the exact percentage is not yet clear, Minor said there has certainly been a spike in this 10 percent over the past few years.
In a survey conducted by the Department of Residential Life, upperclassmen living in residence halls were asked why they chose to remain on campus. Minor said the results were unexpected. The survey found most students listed "other" as their reason for staying on campus rather than "convenience."
Minor said although the word "other" leaves a lot of room for the imagination, a large reason for students moving back to campus — or simply never leaving — is the quality of residence hall life has increased.
In 2001, the Department of Residential Life was given approval to embark on the Residential Life Master Plan, which aims to eventually renovate or rebuild all of the residence halls on campus.
Minor said the renovations do more than just update old facilities; they give students more of what they're asking for. He said returning upperclassmen crave more space and privacy, which he said is exactly what the new construction aims to provide.
Senior Eddie Itkin is one of these upperclassmen, finding his way back to residence halls this year after living off campus. Itkin said for him it's all about making life a little easier.
"The reason I decided to live in a residence hall is the convenience factor," Itkin said. "Not only am I a minute walking distance from an amazing Rec center, but there is essentially no morning commuting to classes."
Itkin said the proximity to classes and campus facilities wasn't his only reason for moving back onto campus. By living in the residence halls, he can also alleviate the stresses that plagued him as an independent boarder.
"There is no need to remember to pay bills, so utilities won't be turned off, plus I don't have to worry about flakey roommates," Itkin said.
Senior Kyle Boedeker said he's moving back into a residence hall for financial reasons.
"I'm living in a residence hall because my scholarships pay for it," Boedeker said. "Not having to pay rent allows me to work fewer hours, which helps me keep up with my school work."
Convenience and alleviated financial worries aside, Boedeker said he would miss his apartment because it gave him an escape from campus.
"Sometimes you just need to get away from school," Boedeker said.