Beginning fall 2006, a brand new Park Street residence hall will provide some freshmen with an upscale dorm experience. Though Smith Hall will represent a more luxurious housing option, it will not alleviate the crunch on freshmen housing in the long run.
It is estimated that 87 percent of freshmen will be housed next year as opposed to the traditional 80 percent, but that number will contract once Ogg Hall is knocked down in 2007 as a smaller dorm will be built in its place.
Smith Hall and the new Ogg Hall will house about the same number as the current Ogg, so no spots will really be added long term,\ said Director of Housing Paul Evans.
Evans said that plans are being made to possibly build more housing in the lakeshore area, with the first phase of construction ideally commencing in August 2010. If these plans go through, the University would no longer have to turn away any freshmen applicants.
Meanwhile, to say students are eager to try out Smith would be an understatement. Though the new hall can only devote 270 of its 415 spots to next year's incoming freshmen, 1,715 have made it their first choice.
It is the most requested dorm for men and the second for women, despite costing $750 more than average dorms per year, which will result in an overall higher average rent throughout University Housing.
""We know that there are plenty of students who want more suite-style living,"" said Residence Life Director Larry Davis.""Housing intends to provide a variety of living options for students, understanding that students have different interests, needs and abilities to pay.""
For their extra money, residents will live in larger rooms with walk-in closets and air conditioning. Each floor features a kitchen, two study lounges and a bathroom for every five students. Residents will also have access to food service without having to step outside, as the hall will include Newell's Café.
In light of the higher prices, Kevin Helmkamp of Residence Life said he is not concerned about dorm affordability, saying that Smith Hall does not necessarily signal a shift toward a more upscale standard in housing, but a stride toward providing more options.
""The addition of Smith and the new Ogg to University Housing gives us some greater flexibility, some different choices for students to have,"" Helmkamp said. ""Top to bottom, we're going to have more variety.""
Davis said he is especially excited about Smith Hall because, since it is new, original traditions can be established.
""We look forward to working closely with all the residents to put programs and processes in place that they can pass down from year to year,"" Davis said.
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