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The Daily OrangeDying breed: South Campus family housing to cease at end of academic year
By Uyen Nguyen
Posted: 10/23/08, 11:42 PM EST Section: Feature
A few years ago, however, SU made the decision to stop offering family housing. For 2007-2008, the number of full-time undergraduate students increased to 12,491.
"Undergraduate housing is in high demand, whereas demand for family housing is low," Budman said.
There is also a pattern of families who start off with university housing because of the campus atmosphere and security. Living off-campus is more economically beneficial, and also allows for parents to start exploring the different school systems for their children. As time progresses, they start wanting to integrate themselves more into the community, Budman said.
"What has occurred over time is the cost of living has gone up, families look to save money," she said. "There are certain amenities to families living off-campus."
Though the university does not want to exclude anyone, there is priority for undergraduate students, Budman
said. Undergraduates are obligated to live on campus for at least two years.
Desjardins believes that the primary reason for the change in population on South Campus is money, she said.
"Families pay half the money that undergrads pay," she said. "We're charged as one student."
The cost for an undergraduate to live in a South Campus apartment is $3,900 per semester. Desjardins' family pays $980 per month, she said. Over the course of one semester, or four months, that sums up to $3,920 for the whole family.
"It's more profitable to have undergrads," she said.
Though she reached out numerous times to administrators from South Campus Housing, she received no help, she said. Everyone she talked to felt bad, but ultimately did nothing, she said.
"Pretty much, they don't care," she said. "At this point, if we could transfer schools, we would."
Emilie Schoeck, 26, a senior environmental studies major, said that one of her major grievances about the school was the lack of support and services offered for non-traditional students.
"Undergraduate housing is in high demand, whereas demand for family housing is low," Budman said.
There is also a pattern of families who start off with university housing because of the campus atmosphere and security. Living off-campus is more economically beneficial, and also allows for parents to start exploring the different school systems for their children. As time progresses, they start wanting to integrate themselves more into the community, Budman said.
"What has occurred over time is the cost of living has gone up, families look to save money," she said. "There are certain amenities to families living off-campus."
Though the university does not want to exclude anyone, there is priority for undergraduate students, Budman
said. Undergraduates are obligated to live on campus for at least two years.
Desjardins believes that the primary reason for the change in population on South Campus is money, she said.
"Families pay half the money that undergrads pay," she said. "We're charged as one student."
The cost for an undergraduate to live in a South Campus apartment is $3,900 per semester. Desjardins' family pays $980 per month, she said. Over the course of one semester, or four months, that sums up to $3,920 for the whole family.
"It's more profitable to have undergrads," she said.
Though she reached out numerous times to administrators from South Campus Housing, she received no help, she said. Everyone she talked to felt bad, but ultimately did nothing, she said.
"Pretty much, they don't care," she said. "At this point, if we could transfer schools, we would."
Emilie Schoeck, 26, a senior environmental studies major, said that one of her major grievances about the school was the lack of support and services offered for non-traditional students.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Lakisha Rainey
posted 7/09/09 @ 7:29 PM EST
I have never lived on campus with my family. But I am looking for a college that does, so if you do find one can you please notify me?
Dennis
posted 7/19/09 @ 12:47 PM EST
Its all about the money...su does not give a flying fuck about these families when they squeeze more money out of the undergrads...they will posture, lament about the family, but its all words they don't care
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