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Posted: 8/08/02

University Enrollment Prompts Need for Additional Satellite Housing

 

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Student enrollment at Texas A&M International University has eclipsed available on-campus housing, prompting TAMIU to initiate satellite housing to accommodate student needs.

"It's a situation that most campuses across the nation would envy," said Dean of Student Services, Dr. Tom Corti, "Many are seeing student numbers drop. We've seen a 160% increase in applications for on-campus housing alone compared to last year at this same time. Our pre-registered students for Fall are running well over 100% percent ahead of last fall. The available housing on campus is now full and we are now placing students in satellite housing near the campus."

Corti said all 250 slots for students at University Village have been assigned.

The additional satellite housing will accommodate up to 50 students and more if needed.

"We've established a relationship with a local apartment house owner of properties nearby on Jacaman Road that will follow similar housing guidelines, costs and standards as our on-campus housing. Students living in the TAMIU satellite housing will be considered part of University housing. The whole effort is still being coordinated through our University Village offices and is running quite smoothly, " he said.

University Village, a privatized effort run on campus for TAMIU by American Campus Communities, opened in 1997 and has seen occupancy grow steadily. The $5.1 million facility features 84 apartment units. Among amenities are a pool, beach

volleyball court, community center, computer lab and on-site laundry.

Corti noted the University is also at work on a survey that will help it to assess the need to construct additional housing on campus.

"As part of the required process for future construction consideration, we are currently conducting an online survey of students who have registered any time since Fall 2001 to help us gauge the need for on-campus housing. We encourage students to visit the online site to complete the survey at

http://www.andersonstrickler.com/survey/tamiu/. The survey is also available at the University's web site at www.tamiu.edu We hope to have the survey completed by Aug. 18. As an incentive, three randomly selected students who complete and return the survey online will each receive $500 off their tuition, three respondents will receive $100 off their tuition, and two respondents will receive free course books for a semester," he explained.

The University hopes to be able to share survey results with the governing Texas A&M University System Board of Regents for their consideration at the September meeting. If approved, the new residence complex would take approximately 12-16 months to construct.

"If we were to proceed with the construction of additional housing, we would target a village and learner-centered model with a variety of student support services being located within the facility," Corti explained.

For additional information on the student housing survey, please contact Dr. Corti at 326.2876 or email corti@tamiu.edu

For information on securing student housing, please contact University Village at 326.0160.

 


Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu