Record number of women apply for off-campus permission
David Steffen
Issue date: 4/9/09 Section: News
This year 50 more female students applied for off-campus housing than in any previous year, Dean of Women Diane Philipp said, and for no obvious reason. If this continues next year, administrators may switch Koon Residence back from a women's to a men's dorm in two years, Philipp said.
"I'm not sure why," Philipp said of the increase of off-campus applications. "Some have talked to me about economic reasons, but that hasn't been part of the issue."
One hundred seventy-five women applied to live off campus next semester, and 117 will receive permission, said Secretary to the Dean of Women Diane Watkins. Of those 117, 37 currently live off campus.
Philipp said she had to ask women to live off campus last year, and that she had expected more men and women to request off-campus permission because of the economic downturn, since rent usually costs less than campus housing. But that doesn't explain the current lopsided situation, she said.
"It's the highest number we've had that I'm aware of," she said.
Philipp said a larger incoming freshman class played a role, and that the off-campus application procedure will begin earlier next year.
Junior Sarah Howard, who received off-campus permission for next year, said that perhaps hearsay about off-campus living attracted more women.
"I think there's been a general positive atmosphere for off campus, so that might have made it attractive," Howard said.
She said she noticed more students than usual voicing interest in off-campus living arrangements compared to last year.
"I did think it was sort of interesting that I met a surprising amount of people that would say, 'I want to move off campus,'" Howard said. "I was surprised."
Dean of Men Aaron Petersen said he received about as many off-campus requests from men as he did last year. In both years, he said, 175 men have applied to live off campus. He allowed 111 off campus and denied seven, but many will probably turn down their permission, leaving about 100 off-campus men for next year.
"I'm not sure why," Philipp said of the increase of off-campus applications. "Some have talked to me about economic reasons, but that hasn't been part of the issue."
One hundred seventy-five women applied to live off campus next semester, and 117 will receive permission, said Secretary to the Dean of Women Diane Watkins. Of those 117, 37 currently live off campus.
Philipp said she had to ask women to live off campus last year, and that she had expected more men and women to request off-campus permission because of the economic downturn, since rent usually costs less than campus housing. But that doesn't explain the current lopsided situation, she said.
"It's the highest number we've had that I'm aware of," she said.
Philipp said a larger incoming freshman class played a role, and that the off-campus application procedure will begin earlier next year.
Junior Sarah Howard, who received off-campus permission for next year, said that perhaps hearsay about off-campus living attracted more women.
"I think there's been a general positive atmosphere for off campus, so that might have made it attractive," Howard said.
She said she noticed more students than usual voicing interest in off-campus living arrangements compared to last year.
"I did think it was sort of interesting that I met a surprising amount of people that would say, 'I want to move off campus,'" Howard said. "I was surprised."
Dean of Men Aaron Petersen said he received about as many off-campus requests from men as he did last year. In both years, he said, 175 men have applied to live off campus. He allowed 111 off campus and denied seven, but many will probably turn down their permission, leaving about 100 off-campus men for next year.
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