Private rooms. A furnished living room. A spacious kitchen. And the on-campus convenience of living in a residence hall.
Students can have this and more at Residential Life’s East and West Campus Apartments.
Computer engineering junior Cymande Ford said she prefers life in ECA to living in the residence halls because of its free washing machines and privacy. She said if she wants to be alone she can go into her room, and if she wants to be with her roommates she can hang out in the living room.
“It’s better to have a choice than no choice at all,” she said.
West Campus Apartments, now under construction near Kirby-Smith hall, will be open to students in fall 2003, according to information available on the Residential Life Web site.
“In our focus groups and surveys, students have said they want to live on-campus in more contemporary-style living,” said Mimi Lavalle, Residential Life communications manager.
WCA will offer the same amenities as ECA, including private rooms, a washer and dryer for each unit, basic cable and furnished rooms. However, unlike ECA, WCA will offer three-bedroom units. ECA offers one-, two- and four-bedroom units.
WCA’s rent also will be the same as ECA’s. Current rates are $2,666 a semester for an efficiency, $2,429 for a two-bedroom unit, $2,344 a semester for a three-bedroom unit and $2,279 for a four-bedroom unit. These rates are an increase from the 2002-2003 housing rates.
Nine units will be handicap-accessible to accommodate students with disabilities. However, if these rooms still are available next fall, Residential Life will make them available to any applicant, Lavalle said.
Electrical enginerring sophomore Xavier Whipple said he prefers on-campus apartments to off-campus apartments because of their convenience.
“It’s so hard to park coming on campus in the morning,” Whipple said. “Besides, it’s easier to just walk to class from your apartment.”
Ford, who has been living in ECA for two years, agreed with Whipple that parking is worse for commuters. However, she thinks WCA residents will have just as hard a time finding a place to park.
“I think their biggest problem will be parking,” Ford said. “All those people in Kirby [hall] and the Pentagon can’t find a place to park now. Where are WCA residents going to park?”
Corey Guyott, an apparel design junior who has been living in ECA for one year, said even with the drawbacks, she likes living in an on-campus apartment.
“The rooms are small, and you don’t have priority cooking over your roommates, but it’s easy to get to all my classes, especially because I don’t have a car,” she said.
Guyott said although ECA’s location is better, she is moving to WCA next semester so she can pick her roommates. Unless residents apply for housing with roommates in mind, Residential Life assigns their roommates.
Students who wish to take advantage of the University’s on-campus apartments must apply with Residential Life. However, student-athletes and those students who did not live on campus during the spring 2003 semester are not eligible for residence at WCA for fall 2003.