More Dorms to Come to Universities

As a result of more students going to college and increasing rent prices, more universities are finding that it would be to their advantage to build more residence halls on campus.

Among the universities who are increasing their number of residence halls, are UCLA, USC, UC Irvine and Loyola. All are set to open residence halls soon. In addition to these universities, even some of the Cal State schools in California, are deciding to begin offering more dorm opportunities to students. (The state of California has a three tier public college system starting with community colleges, then Cal State schools and finally universities.)

USC, for example, is expected to open 440 beds in the fall to some of its students. Currently, 190 of the schools' freshman are being housed at a nearby Radisson Hotel.

What is most surprising in this latest trend is the Cal State systems' move to putting in more residence halls considering most of these schools are commuter schools. Most of the student population will travel to the campus, go to their classes and then leave.

The press for student housing never really seemed to be an issue at the Cal State schools because of that factor. In addition to that, most students were local or lived within 30 minutes of a campus (since the Cal States are spread throughout the state).

However, it is not just California universities that are experiencing a lack of living spaces for its college students. Schools across the country are finding that more students are looking for available and low-cost housing that is near their respective schools.

The only problem to renting out a space outside of a college campus, usually means paying a lot more and facing potential headaches when it comes to factors such as proximity to the campus and its resources (such as the library). The plus side is that you are able to get away from school and may not have to share a dorm room with someone.

While universities may be trying to satisfy the needs of students who are looking for low-cost housing that is near the school, what are the implications of these projects for the student body as a whole?