Housing is a major concern for students, and Charleston has several options, but many Eastern students find that living on campus is the best for them.

Mark Hudson, director of University Housing/Dining Services, said students choose to live on campus for a variety of reasons.

“The number one thing students tell us is convenience,” Hudson said.

Students also like “the ability to get around campus quickly, not worry about parking and also make friends and connections on campus which make college fun,” Hudson said. “And living on campus makes that happen quickly.”

Hudson said there has been an increase in on campus living over the past year.

“We are a reflection of university enrollment,” Hudson said.

Two years ago when the university experienced it’s first enrollment increase, living went up about 400 students, Hudson said. This past year it has gone up another 100.

Hudson said, the university has had no problem at all accommodating students with rooms.

Also, for a few years, Eastern’s web site has had a “Cost Comparison Worksheet” available for students to examine all considerations.

The Cost Comparison Worksheet on the web site charts all the economic costs included in the Residence Halls and Greek Court. The economic costs included in the total cost of on- campus living encompass rent, food, water, electricity, gas trash, cable TV, direct internet connection, local phone services. Many of the services and utilities, water, electricity, phone, direct internet access and cable TV, many off campus residents have to pay extra for are free to on campus residents.

The security deposit fee is $50 and $25 of it is refundable. The activity fee is $15, but optional.

Housing and dining services offer several dining plans ranging in cost from $4,530 for the five plus plan to $5,106 for the 15 plus plan.

Hudson said many students live their whole college career in residence halls.

“We try to do as much as we can to get students to stay because they are an important part of our community and we want them around,” Hudson said.

Some students say living on campus is beneficial

Michael Stenoish, a junior pre-veterinary major and resident assistant in Douglas Hall, said living on campus is more convenient and students get a better feel for college life. Stenoish said this year will be his third living in a residence hall.

“There are always people around and you get a better experience of college life,” Stenoish said. “When you move off campus, you miss out on always having somebody around.”

Jenny Hayes, a senior business management major, living in Greek housing for Delta Zeta, said, “Greek Court in general is just fun.”

Hayes said she likes not worrying about bills every month and is getting to live with a large group of people instead of a small group.

“There are 40 girls that live here as opposed to three or four living in an apartment,” Hayes said.

Mike Gray, a sophomore psychology major and University Court resident, said the location and cost is convenient.

“I think it’s cheaper living over here because you don’t have to get a meal plan,” Gray said. There is an assigned cost of living that includes the same economic costs as residence halls, but a meal plan does not have to be purchased, he said.

Vicky Garrison, a freshmen with a double major in health studies and foreign language, living in Carman Hall, said living in a residence hall is comforting.

“You’re away from home, but you feel at home because you have all these people around you that are really friendly,” Garrison said. “I think it’s a great opportunity to meet a lot of people that are kind of in the same boat as you.”

Other students feel that with the good comes the bad.

Jennifer Pitner, a senior environmental biology major, is in her seventh semester living at Taylor Hall. Pitner said there are set backs to living in a residence hall.

“One would definitely be space limitation,” Pitner said. “I have a single so it’s not that bad, but you don’t have a lot of space to have friends over whereas if you had a house or apartment you could have an actual party if you wanted to.”

Students also find privacy a disadvantage to dorm life.

Pitner said sharing a bathroom with 60 other people is a disadvantage.

“There is always someone in there,” Pitner said.

Ben Courshon, a freshman accounting major and Taylor Hall resident, said it’s easier to get in trouble in the residence halls.

“You can get in trouble in the dorms for being too loud or doing something you’re not supposed to,” Courshon said. “If you were in your own place, you could pretty much do what you want, there are no quiet hours.”

Campus Editor Jennifer Chiariello can be reached at [email protected]