New Residence Halls

[ksu sucks]

Okay, so I've driven past the site of the newest exchange res halls construction site, and I just recently heard how all that trash on spicer will be shut down for more residence halls(good riddance). Now, if I'm not mistaken, this new exchange hall is almost identical to the first exchange hall, so it will aproximately house 500 students. Then, add the additional 500+ students(it looks like more than that in the drawings, but for simplicity's sake) that will live in the Spicer housing, and you have room for atleast 1000 more kids than this year. That being said, wasn't there only about 150 kids that they didn't have room for this year? So that would make 850 spots completely unaccounted for(again, all estimates) next year. So that eiether means I'm completely overestimating how big these new halls will be, or Akron really had to reject a bunch of kids in this fall 08 class due to lack of housing. Does anyone know exactly what the situation is with this? Are my estimates way off, or did UA really have to deny admission to that many kids this fall?

[tbozeglav]

First off... You are right in your assumption that the new dorms will house more kids than the current Exchange Street Dorms do. This is mainly because the complex will be nearly twice as big.As for the whole "only 150 students" thing... im not too sure about that. I know for a fact there is a huge shortage of housing here at Akron right now mainly because of the old dorms that were torn down to make way for the new stadium. I have a feeling that your numbers are off... completely. At the beginning of this semester, the University offered $1000 + refund of entire room and board to the first 100 students that would move out of their dorm and off-campus. So... I dont know. Last I recalled, enrollement was up like 3-5% this year for the freshman class or something around there...all I know is that those kids who get to live in those dorms are going to be some lucky people...

[ZachTheZip]

UA had to turn away 150 kids, and help them find apartments in the area. The thing is, that was on top of the many students Akron is renting rooms at the Raddison Hotel downtown. Yes, both downtown hotels are filled with students. UA only owns Quaker Square, so the Raddison bill has to be pretty expensive, but they had no choice.There are a few independent housing projects that should help the situation, like the one downtown across from the Beacon Journal.

[flipthezip]

The 150 were the number of students who had returned their housing contract and were guaranteed a room. They had to turn away all the students who returned their deposits after the deadline - not sure of the number but I would guess significant based on 1. the # of students who make late decisions on a college, and 2. that many 18 year olds are not always understanding of the idea of a firm deadline.I also believe that the University relaxed a rule that freshman living outside of the neighboring 4 counties must live in on campus housing.Combine all of this with the regular growth we have been seeing each of the last several years and I think the dorms will be filled with little effort. Of course, you have to wonder what will happen to college enrollment in this wonderful economic crisis we find our country in.

[Big Zip]

I also believe there is a plan to tear down Galluci Hall. For those who don't know it was a Holiday Inn at one point and converted to a dorm something like 20+ years ago. My brother (who graduated 3 years ago) said the last time he was there -- there were still some things labeled with Holiday Inn in the dorm rooms. Probably a good thing to knock it over.

[MDZip]

Also remember that the University only accepts a certain number of students for housing based on the number of available spaces. They turned away a lot of applications this year, but they also "overbook" based on historical cancellation rates since not everyone who signs up ends up taking a space. Some do it as contingencies while looking for other places. This year it just happened that the school got caught with too many that wanted to keep their spaces. That is where the 150 number came from. It doesn't mean that that was all of the students who wanted housing and didn't get it. With the way the campus is today with so many options and things to do, why wouldn't you want to be there?

[tbozeglav]

In regards to Gallucci being taken down and replaced with a new dorm... I have heard rumors about that, but I have yet to hear anything official as to whether or not that will actually happen any time soon. Gallucci is obviously the most run-down of the dorms currently avaialble (I would never want to live in there), so it makes logical sense they'd look to rebuild it, but the problem there is the same we are facing right now: tear down old dorms to make way for new ones leaves a shortage for room while the new ones are being built. Now, the problem we are in now is going to be more prolonged because of a certain person holding out to leave their business thats in the footprint of the new dorms, but regardless, the university needs to get those new dorms up ASAP to alleviate this problem and help them expand.

[ksu sucks]

I also believe there is a plan to tear down Galluci Hall. For those who don't know it was a Holiday Inn at one point and converted to a dorm something like 20+ years ago. My brother (who graduated 3 years ago) said the last time he was there -- there were still some things labeled with Holiday Inn in the dorm rooms. Probably a good thing to knock it over.

Galluci Hall aka "The Gooch" is by far the ugliest residence hall on campus. You are correct, a lot of Holiday Inn logos can be found. My thermostat still Says "Holiday Inn" and looks like it's straight from the eighties. It's easily the biggest party hall on campus. I've heard that the UA police have designated a few officers just for the gooch...and I believe it. Last night my roomate had to be carried into his own bedroom because he couldn't stand up straight. The next morning I found a trial of beer can tabs leading up to my door.Seriously though, I hope you heard right about Galluci's end. Personally, I'd like to see Galucci, Grant, and the townhouses all torn down and replaced. Othere than the newer exchange halls and the current housing projects being worked on, the South Quad needs some serious help.

Also remember that the University only accepts a certain number of students for housing based on the number of available spaces. They turned away a lot of applications this year, but they also "overbook" based on historical cancellation rates since not everyone who signs up ends up taking a space. Some do it as contingencies while looking for other places. This year it just happened that the school got caught with too many that wanted to keep their spaces. That is where the 150 number came from. It doesn't mean that that was all of the students who wanted housing and didn't get it. With the way the campus is today with so many options and things to do, why wouldn't you want to be there?

Yes, I understand that UA had to turn down a lot of kids due to lack of housing. I just found it hard to believe that they turned down that many kids! It's crazy how much this school is growing. It's evolved from a school were students avoid it, to a campus that no longer has the supply to match the demand(and that will soon change!). Good times at UA.P.S: By the way, dont get me wrong. Galucci is a party hall but I still love it here on campus. It's fun, growing, and constantly chagning. I'm so glad I picked UA over Toledo and OSU. At first I came here for the money, but I'm quickly realizing that I made the right choice regardless of how much money I get in scholarships. The student life seems to be improving constantly, and we are finally starting to have that REAL D1 college atmosphere.(an on campus stadium will sure help! )

[zen]

It's an odd catch22, like the 16yo kid whose parents tell him to get a job if he wants to buy a car, but the kid replies that he must have a car to get a job.... the university may not be able to throw enough money at new campus living because of how much they have invested and borrowed toward campus improvements, yet if they had not spend so much on campus improvements, the demand for campus living might not be there.

[72 Roo]

I talked to a gentleman this week who was the liason between the state university presidents and the Ohio legislature. He said Akron is free to build all the dorms they want if we can afford it. No new money would be coming from this biennial state education budget or those in the future. For those of you who go back a way you may recall that the satate board of regents capped the on campus housing for Akron because they never saw us as the residential university of NE Ohio. That went to K.E.N.T. That policy was later abandoned as the regents decided to let the market regulate housing. Ever since UA has been ramping up housing and Proenza has said before he leaves Akron will have a big residential student segment, at least 5,000. We will not have enough housing to meet demand for at least 10 years. But every year the situation will get better, just not as fast as most of us would like. The dorm growth is tied to the money we can get w/o hurting our bond rating. The university is doing a great job with what it has to work with. Give 'em time and you better believe Akron is emerging as one of the most attractive universities in the Midwest.On a personal note, I taught in the College of Business as part of their Professor For a Day program last week. I came away impressed with the students attending Akron. You guys are super. I'm looking forward to the energy you bring and the contributions you are making now.

[gozips19]

man just a few years ago Galucci had the honors floors. the dorms have drastically improved and will continue to do so! oh i can't talk about Galucci and not give any love to the Galucci hoochie's!