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Printer-Friendly ModeCampus housing embraces growing number of residents
60 percent of freshmen – over 2,000 students total – will live at SVSU this year
August 25, 2006 —
When SVSU's Great Lakes Hall was constructed in 1969 to accommodate only 352 students, it would have been a stretch of the imagination to envision the 2,050 students expected to take up residence on campus this year.
Ronald Portwine, director of University Housing and Auxiliary Operations, believes there are various reasons for this all-time high. He points to SVSU's increased enrollment as the main factor, but says housing has really taken off due to its own success.
"In other words, because of the increased number of students living on campus and variety of activities and clubs to participate in, campus life is thriving and more students want to live on campus," Portwine says.
Not only is there more housing on campus, but the quality of the housing has increased as well. All housing in equipped with air conditioning and computer networking capabilities.
Additionally, damage assessments are carried out at the end of each winter semester, making any repairs and replacements easy to identify and accomplish.
In comparison to other Michigan universities, Portwine believes SVSU ranks high in uniqueness.
"Approximately 60 percent of our freshmen choose to live on campus and I think that speaks well about the product we offer," Portwine says.
The fact that SVSU's housing is fairly young and found largely in the form of apartment style living also gives it a slight edge in comparison to other Michigan universities.
Although living on campus is unarguably a financial commitment, Portwine asserts that SVSU's freshman room and board rates are among the least expensive in the state. He feels strongly that the benefits contributable to living on campus generally outweigh the cost.
According to Portwine, students living on campus are just next door to their classrooms and the library, making the intellectual aspect of a college education convenient to achieve. He stands by the research that demonstrates students living on campus are more likely to graduate than students who live at home or off campus.
"Personal development is another consideration," Portwine says. "Living on campus provides students the opportunity to develop social skills by meeting students from many different backgrounds and cultures."
On campus housing might be beneficial to students, but it is also beneficial to the professional community. Countless jobs have been created through SVSU's need for student housing alone.
Full-time employees have been staffed for Housing Operations and Residential Life, and additional positions have been added to Campus Facilities, Dining Services, and the University Police.
Student positions have also been formed in accordance with the increase of on campus residents. From operating the front desks of Living Centers North and South to assisting Campus Facilities with maintenance of housing units, students are employed all over campus.
Currently, Portwine says there are no plans for any additional student housing. He also says the subject has been discussed, but states the recent growth over the past few years "cannot continue indefinitely."
"My hope for student housing is that we will continue to meet and exceed students expectations in terms of price, quality, and opportunity," he says. "Housing should not be the primary reason that a student chooses to attend SVSU, but it definitely should be one of the top reasons."