Post by title1parent on Aug 4, 2010 7:45:12 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/2562908,2_1_AU04_DENISE_S1-100804.article
College housing woes rise with enrollment
August 4, 2010
By DENISE CROSBY dcrosby@stmedianetwork.com
Column: Amber Bell was delighted -- as most parents would be -- when her stepson enrolled in the freshman class at Aurora University with a partial scholarship in hand.
But the central Illinois woman wasn't nearly as excited when the family received word her stepson may not have a dorm room when he shows up for classes this month.
And if he did get student housing, "he will be in with two roommates, not just one, in a area that is about as big as most closets." she noted in an e-mail.
The reason for the tight fit is a record freshman enrollment. And AU isn't the only university dealing with eye-popping numbers.
Universities from Colgate and Syracuse on the East Coast to Oregon and Seattle out West are all reporting record freshman numbers this fall.
Fact is, despite the recession -- or, as it turns out, because of it -- more students will be heading off to college than ever before, according to a July survey released by the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.
In a report from the State Higher Education Officers Association, enrollments have increased 47 percent at two- and four-year institutions from 1984 to 2009.
At Judson University in Elgin, Mary Dulabaum says that, while the freshman numbers are impressive for the coming year, the biggest increase is from transfer students. Northern Illinois University dittoed that assessment.
"Those same students who decided to go to community colleges as the recession hit in 2008 are now ready to continue at a four-year school," said Judson's director of communications.
Likewise, North Central College in Naperville is looking at a record number of transfers -- in addition to a record number of freshmen.
"It all adds up to the largest new incoming class in college history," said Jim Godo, assistant vice president of marketing and communication.
While local universities have yet to break down those numbers, according to a report recently released by the Pew Research Center, this nationwide surge is largely fueled by more Hispanic students, who are graduating from high school in record numbers.
Also, more veterans, frustrated with the lack of civilian jobs available when they get out of the service, are taking advantage of the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon funding, said Martin Sauer, dean of admissions at North Central.
Put it all together and it's no surprise housing is tight. Barbara Wilcox, AU's vice president of communications, said this isn't the first time the university has been forced to put three to a room.
The hefty enrollment, which includes more out-of-staters, is why there are plans, she added, to build a new residence hall in the near future.
College housing woes rise with enrollment
August 4, 2010
By DENISE CROSBY dcrosby@stmedianetwork.com
Column: Amber Bell was delighted -- as most parents would be -- when her stepson enrolled in the freshman class at Aurora University with a partial scholarship in hand.
But the central Illinois woman wasn't nearly as excited when the family received word her stepson may not have a dorm room when he shows up for classes this month.
And if he did get student housing, "he will be in with two roommates, not just one, in a area that is about as big as most closets." she noted in an e-mail.
The reason for the tight fit is a record freshman enrollment. And AU isn't the only university dealing with eye-popping numbers.
Universities from Colgate and Syracuse on the East Coast to Oregon and Seattle out West are all reporting record freshman numbers this fall.
Fact is, despite the recession -- or, as it turns out, because of it -- more students will be heading off to college than ever before, according to a July survey released by the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.
In a report from the State Higher Education Officers Association, enrollments have increased 47 percent at two- and four-year institutions from 1984 to 2009.
At Judson University in Elgin, Mary Dulabaum says that, while the freshman numbers are impressive for the coming year, the biggest increase is from transfer students. Northern Illinois University dittoed that assessment.
"Those same students who decided to go to community colleges as the recession hit in 2008 are now ready to continue at a four-year school," said Judson's director of communications.
Likewise, North Central College in Naperville is looking at a record number of transfers -- in addition to a record number of freshmen.
"It all adds up to the largest new incoming class in college history," said Jim Godo, assistant vice president of marketing and communication.
While local universities have yet to break down those numbers, according to a report recently released by the Pew Research Center, this nationwide surge is largely fueled by more Hispanic students, who are graduating from high school in record numbers.
Also, more veterans, frustrated with the lack of civilian jobs available when they get out of the service, are taking advantage of the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon funding, said Martin Sauer, dean of admissions at North Central.
Put it all together and it's no surprise housing is tight. Barbara Wilcox, AU's vice president of communications, said this isn't the first time the university has been forced to put three to a room.
The hefty enrollment, which includes more out-of-staters, is why there are plans, she added, to build a new residence hall in the near future.