FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — With another school year comes another year of students moving onto campus University of Arkansas and getting adjusted into their college dorms or apartments.
With the U of A continuing to break records when it comes to enrollment, the 6,200 beds on campus across 20 residence halls just isn't enough.
"We have contracted with various apartment complexes in the area, mostly in a ring around the university, and gotten some more beds," said Christopher Spencer, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications for U of A Housing. "We can contract those beds with our residents, and it gives them the ability to be on campus even as they're off campus."
This is the third year the university has done something similar to accommodate students. They have 1,200 beds at The Locale, The Marshall, and The Cardinal. This year, they've rented out the whole Cardinal complex for freshmen to be housed.
"We did that because so many people want to come to University of Arkansas, and we really do have a mandate, and want to house every first-year student to give them that that special first year," Spencer said. "It's literally across the street from campus, and we have RAs there as well."
They're also in the design phase for a new residence hall to be built near Hotz Hall and the Maple Hill Buildings.
"We recognize that a lot of people want to not just attend the University of Arkansas, but live on campus," Spencer said.
As the campus grows, so does the city. D'Andre Jones, a Fayetteville City Councilmember, has been involved in the push for more housing in the city. He said this also includes more housing for students, not just Fayetteville residents.
"Growth is a good thing. It's a good thing that we have individuals from all over the country wanting to come to the University of Arkansas," Jones said. "I think that this is a great opportunity for the University of Arkansas and the city of Fayetteville to collaborate and work together to do what we have to do to alleviate the challenge for both groups."
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