Housing and Residence Life wants to keep more juniors and seniors living on campus. If it wants to do that, officials need to look at reasons why - other than price - students live off campus. In a market with "luxury living," competition is stiff.
Money is an obvious factor.
Students say living off campus allows them a lot more freedom.
Students can come and go as they please if they don't live in residence halls. There are no worries about having to get their IDs checked if they return after a certain time. No paperwork, no hassle.
There are no set times to buy or eat food off campus. In the residence halls, if a student misses a period of time for a meal, they lose that dining money. If students live off campus, they can get groceries and eat whenever or whatever they want.
Housing and Residence Life could allow students the option of not having a meal plan if they don't want one.
Having more advanced common cooking areas for smaller groups of students might attract more juniors and seniors. There are currently suites with shared bathrooms. Kitchen areas could be added in a similar fashion.
Drinking isn't everyone's' agenda, but for those who choose to, it is easier to do off campus. It is hard for the university to compete with this with so few options for students older than 21 who want to drink.
Instead of having to vote for extended visiting hours, Housing and Residence Life could just assume students want to be able to have their friends over at any time. And though night security staff are in place for safety, most students still consider night check in a hassle.
Housing and Residence Life could make certain sections of buildings more attractive to third and fourth-year students by competing with the perks that attract them off campus.
If Housing and Residence Life wants to keep upperclassmen in the residence halls, they need to examine and provide at least some of the amenities tempting students off campus.
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