At Salisbury University, students have numerous amounts of options when it comes to on and off campus living. This past semester there was a significant number of changes to housing policies off campus due to an unexpectedly high number of admitted students.
In previous years, freshmen and sophomores were required to live on campus, where upperclassmen had the flexibility of choosing where they would live. Off-campus housing has been a very popular option for upperclassmen because of a range of different prices to choose from, and because it can bring a new sense of independence.
However, with the increase in student enrollment, both on and off campus housing has undergone great changes. This can lead to students having challenges when it comes to finding a place to live that is both affordable and convenient.
Two of the most significant changes with off-campus housing occurred at The Gathering and University Orchard. These two apartment complexes operate as sister companies and have been popular choices among students. The units come completely furnished and there is student-friendly accommodation.
However, this past fall a major transition in management led to a lot of uncertainty with the students living there. Under the new management, rental prices saw a sharp increase with rates increasing between $100-$200 per student. Additionally, students are also required to cover parts of their utilities that were originally taken care of. These unexpected changes sparked widespread frustration among tenants.
“I was a bit surprised that they would raise the rent that high and not offer current residents a lower price to renew,” Savannah Howe, a current resident at The Gathering said. “I think there’s a general sense of disappointment in the price change.”
The new pricing structure has raised concerns about affordability and accessibility for students who rely on off-campus housing as a more cost-effective alternative, especially if it’s too late for them to find on-campus housing.
“I think it’s unfair because it makes the place way less affordable for a lot of people,” Howe said. “People were scrambling to find a new alternate housing for the next year”.
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By GRACE CONAWAY
Staff Writer
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