by Britney Weber
Staff Writer
“Transition housing” is the term Dean of Students Bruce Morgan has given to these apartments.
“We want the apartments to be like a transition between college and after graduation, allowing students time to prepare for time away from Bryan,” said Morgan.
Rules will be relaxed for the apartment inhabitants, allowing them not only more freedom, but also more responsibility as they prepare to live on their own after graduation.
• No curfew.
• “Open dorm” from 10 a.m. to 1a.m. every day.
• No strict room.
• No quiet hours.
• The ability to have unlimited meals in the cafeteria, cook your own meals entirely or be on a limited meal plan.
• Permission to stay on campus during breaks.
And yet with all these liberties, not all students are jumping at the chance to prove their maturity and competency.
Only about 100 students attended the town house informational meeting last Tuesday night, which shows that approximately two-thirds of the students eligible may be uninterested in the new housing.
A common concern among students is that of not only finding, but living with five other students. The idea of risking friendships should living together not work out simply isn’t worth it to them.
Other obstacles inhibiting some students from venturing to the aparments include the added cost for cafeteria meals, as well the desire to stay with friends who do not meet the necessary requirements to live in the apartments.
But then, perhaps the minimal interest is to the benefit of those aspiring to move to the apartments next year, since there are only accommodations for 60 students, including a male and female resident assistant.
Regulations for the apartments are as follows:
• Students must be 20 years of age by Sept. 1, 2010
• Students must have a minimum of 56 credit hours (academically a junior)
• Students must have five other qualified students to live with them.
Students will be allowed to sign up according to the total number of combined credit hours accrued among the members of their group.
A survey is available online at www.bryan.edu/newapartments to help staff anticipate meal plan demands for next year, as well as to assist students in finding those who may be looking to complete their needed group of six.
“Consider it like Match.com,” said Vice President for Enrollment Management Mike Sapienza, in reference to the survey.
Pricing will remain relatively similar to the current cost of living: $4,454 for housing alone with no meals, $5,454 (as it is now for living in the dorms with the unlimited meal plan) for housing and 80 meals per semester or $6,454 for housing and an unlimited meal plan.
Students may also choose to live in the apartments for one semester, but they will be required to pay an extra $250 in an attempt to keep the apartments filled at all times.
Sign-ups for the apartments will occur before regular dorm sign-ups, but the day is yet to be decided.