An increasing demand for on-campus housing has Residential Life officials scrambling to accommodate students this fall.

Many students who took longer than others to apply for residence hall housing have received letters stating they may receive temporary accommodations the first few weeks of the fall term.

“This is an unusual situation,” says Charlie Macke, director of Residential Life. “We are already booked to capacity for the first time in years. It’s a good situation to be in, but it’s one we haven’t seen for a while.”

The increased demand is an indicator that headcount enrollment numbers will likely be higher this fall as well. Early inquiry statistics support that expectation. Official enrollment numbers won’t be available until several days after classes begin.

To accommodate all students who need on-campus housing, Residential Life staff members are relocating students who requested a two-person room in one of the residence halls to either a three-person dorm room or a Tech Village apartment with three other students.

“These temporary accommodations may be inconvenient for a short time, but it will still allow everyone who wants to live in campus housing to have a spot,” Macke says.

Enough students either change their minds or end up needing other living arrangements within the first few weeks of the semester, Macke predicts. He expects to have most students where they want to be before too long.

Students placed in temporary housing will receive a pro-rated discount on their housing fees depending on the length of time they stay in alternate locations.