Efforts to increase students living on-campus began in 2018
KCJJ Staff
03/01/19
University of Iowa officials are hoping to get more students living in on-campus housing in 2019-20.
Following what they say was a successful first year effort during this school year, UI assistant vice president for student life Von Stange – who oversees UI Housing and Dining – told the Iowa Board of Regents this week they will continue those efforts to keep even more students in residence halls.
He says they have created a pilot program to “actively market” to keep more students on-campus.
“We’re excited to play an important role in student success at the University of Iowa,” Stange said. “The facilities we’re renovating and the initiatives we’re working on will help the experience of students who live in the residence halls at the University of Iowa. I believe that what they learn in the residence halls will set them on the best path for success at the University of Iowa and in life.”
UI Housing and Dining officials are projecting a 91.3 percent occupancy rate for the next five years. However, that would be an increase compared to the school’s enrollment as UI officials are forecasting total enrollment – which had reached record levels in the last few years – to fall by more than 1500 students by Fiscal 2024.
Despite that consistency and possible increase in students staying on campus, Stange says they are increasing their housing cost rates by two percent. He says a large portion of that – 1.5 percent – is due to inflation, while the rest is going to pay for ongoing capital bonding.
The UI is in the final stages of renovations to Burge and Currier Halls while a Regents committee this week approved an $8.5 million renovation to Hillcrest Residence Hall. Stange says that project will complete their updates to the existing dorms with no new residence halls planned.
Iowa State University proposed an increase in housing costs of 1.9 percent and University of Northern Iowa asked for an increase of 2.9 percent. Officials from UNI say the higher increase is due to a drop in on-campus residency after several private residential projects were recently completed near campus.