Issue date: 11/12/08 Section: Housing Guide

Because Lincoln Hall is in the process of getting new laundry facilities, sophomore elementary education major Claire Smith has to bring her laundry to Stevenson Hall. (File photo/The Daily Eastern News)

Heather Carnahan, a senior Spanish major, reads her book for class in her room in McKinney Hall. Carnahan has lived on campus all four years and said, "It is nice to not have to worry about paying bills." (File photo/The Daily Eastern News)

Jenny Krzyszkowski, a freshman math major, enjoys living on campus and plans to stay on campus for the next few years.

"Being on campus, you don't have to walk as far and I don't have a car," she said. "I'd rather live in a dorm than an expensive apartment."

She realized the economy has hit many people, but for her she doesn't see it just yet. Gas for her car would be the only necessity she could see being costly.

Some students would rather stay on campus where they believe it is cheaper, while others are living off campus where they can control the amount of money they spend on a monthly basis.

Mark Hudson, director of Housing and Dining Services, believes the economy may have an impact on student decisions whether or not to live on campus.

"Since living on campus is a campus cost, any financial aid can be credited to those bills," Hudson said.

He said there is not a significant amount of costs up front when you live on campus. However, he often hears landlords asking of much larger deposit amounts as well as first and last months rent.

Julie Huber, a freshman math major, said she has seen what the economy has done to people around her and plans to stay in the residence halls next year.

"I like living here because it is close to everything, and it's a community," Huber said. "You get to know a lot of people and see more faces than you would in an apartment building."

Hudson hopes he sees a rise in on campus living.

"We have done significant renovations and continue to enhance what is offered," Hudson said.

In the past six years overall satisfaction has increased from 84 percent positive to 93.4 percent.

Hudson said the reason the cost of living goes up on campus is to cover the increasing costs of gas, water and electricity.

"Costs have gone up to live on campus the last few years between 5 and 7 percent," Hudson said.

Caitlin Dowling, a sophomore psychology major, will be living off campus next year in an apartment.

"I want a bigger space, and I am willing to pay for it," Dowling said.

However, she believes it may be cheaper because of the meal plan she will have herself and it may cost her less with the food she buys.

"If the cost decreases for on campus living, I would consider it again," Dowling said.

Hudson believes the sense of freedom may attract people to off campus living.

"No doubt you will be less supervised," Hudson said. "The trade off when there is a problem you will be visited by the police as opposed to an RA."

Shawn Clary, a sophomore family and consumer sciences major, said she is fine with the cost to live on campus.

"I will be living on campus in my sorority house," Clary said. "It's closer to everything, and I'll be with my friends."


Brittni Garcia can be reached at 581-7942 or at bmgarcia@eiu.edu.

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