South Campus Commons 5 and 6
Though demand for on-campus apartment housing remains relatively substantial, Resident Life officials said off-campus competition has caused a recent drop in the number of leasing applications turned in over the past five years.
As of last week’s deadline, 2,578 students applied for leases in South Campus Commons and Courtyards for the 2014-15 leasing year, said Kelly Ridings, Resident Life’s housing partnerships coordinator. That number is up from the 2013-14 and 2012-13 years, with 2,227 and 2,412 applications, respectively.
But leasing numbers saw a noticeable drop after the 2010-11 leasing year, Ridings said, when application numbers were more than 3,000.
“The overall demand, while still high, is not as high as it was,” Ridings said. “Because there are now somewhat comparable, though more expensive, options off-campus that weren’t really around five years ago.”
Junior accounting and finance major Ryan Solomon, who lives at the University View, said the longer walk to classes can be hard, but he likes the complex’s accommodations.
“I wanted to move in with my friends while ensuring I was no longer in the dorms,” Solomon said. “I also wanted to either be on-campus or within walking distance of campus.”
Oakland Hall and the upcoming Prince Frederick Hall offer suite-style spaces comparable to some off-campus housing options. But Commons and Courtyards tend to be in the highest demand among upperclassmen who choose to live on the campus, Ridings said.
“Lots of students that live in Oakland are still looking to move into Courtyards and Commons,” Ridings said.
Brett Potter, a sophomore aerospace engineering major , said moving to an apartment is the “next step for juniors.” He lives in a suite in Oakland and applied for a Commons lease with three friends for the upcoming academic year.
“I love Oakland, but it’s really far from everything,” Potter said. “Commons is kind of the next place to go. I won’t have to worry about a roommate, and we’ll have a kitchen, which is a big plus.”
Potter said Commons offers students more room and freedom. He said that he knows he will have to pay more money by not living in university dorms but thinks it will be worth it.
“It’s always a good thing when we are able to offer better options for students, and the competition forces our department to keep service level high,” Ridings said.
