2008 Woodie Awards
Tight squeeze for UMass students
University pushes for upperclassmen to consider other living options
Thomas Foley, Collegian Staff
Issue date: 9/9/08 Section: News
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"I didn't know how rooms would be set up," she said. "I was skeptical coming into it."
Dufault, however, is happy with the way things turned out.
"It's not bad. I enjoy it," she said and praised the larger space, good view and balcony of her current accommodations.
This fall, the number of student requests for on-campus housing increased from last year by about 425 individuals.
David Vaillancourt, associate director of Housing and Residence Life at UMass, said the state of the economy is largely responsible for the increase, particularly as a result of higher utility and gasoline bills.
"It costs less than off-campus housing," he said in a statement, and added that other campuses have experienced similar increases.
With more students than room, the University initially attempted to convince students eligible to live off-campus to do so.
"We know that all late applicants who request an appointment will not be able to select an assignment," an e-mail from the Housing Assignment Office (HAO) read. "Because of the lack of on-campus housing, we advise you to explore your off-campus options."
Before the e-mail was sent in early August, apartment rentals were slow, according to Sarah Warren, property manager for the Mill Valley Estates apartment complex. After the letter, interest increased and about the same number of apartments were taken as last year. Warren said it was also true of housing trends in general in the Amherst area, according to trade surveys.
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Kinetic
posted 9/09/08 @ 8:24 AM EST
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