COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio State University is welcoming its largest undergraduate freshman class this fall, and it’s caused some changes in student housing.
The large freshman class means dorms have been converted into housing four students per room when they would normally house two. Over the summer, some second-year students got notice that they could move off campus for no extra cost.
The Office of Student Life confirmed Monday that Ohio State put some students in the Point on Lane, a privately managed apartment complex directly across from campus. The university has space for 88 students at the location and is staffing it like it would a residence hall.
Sophomore Emily Lynch is one of the students who found out over the summer she wouldn’t be housed in Morrill Tower.
“We got an email from housing and residence life probably back in mid-June that first made us aware that there would be far too many freshmen to be housed,” she said. “Probably about four weeks before classes started, we got this email that essentially said ‘we still need people to get out of housing. We’re willing to put you up in off-campus housing under university leasing.’”
She said she feels like she got a pretty good deal. She went from potentially having three roommates in Morrill to having a room to herself.
“It’s been way better for me. I was in Morrill last year. All the dorms have their benefits and disadvantages. Definitely being able to have privacy and my own space in exchange for just being a quick walk off campus, it was definitely a better bargain for me,” she said.
That’s been a common sentiment among the other students who were moved. The apartments also happen to be closer to many student’s classes.
Katie Gibson, a freshman from Cincinnati, is living in Morrill Tower. She said she and her roommate from Cleveland are feeling the squeeze in the residence hall.
“It’s insanely crowded. When we learned we were living in Morrill, last year it was 10 per suite and this year it’s up to 16. Two showers for 16 girls is crazy,” she said.
10TV caught up with President Ted Carter following the Convocation Ceremony Monday to ask about the housing crunch on campus and if it caused any extra burden on the university.
“We’re so fortunate that we can be so flexible with our housing. It’s modular and we can do things. We had about 17,000 students move in in five days. That’s extraordinary. I like to point out, that’s about three aircraft carriers worth,” Carter said. “Our student life team is the best in the country, and they manage it so well, so I’m really proud of what they’re able to do.”
Ohio State has had to turn to off-campus housing before. The Office of Student Life said the university last utilized a similar option in 2016.
Students living in the Point on Lane apartments are receiving the same amenities they would by living in campus housing, such as internet and paid utilities.