I have been following the progress of the Frederiksen Court expansion project since August, and your latest article in regards to this prompted me to raise concerns about how the Department of Residence proposes to accommodate students in the future.

This is the second school year in a row dorms have been excessively overcrowded. More than 180 students last year were placed in residence hall dens due to high demand, and that number could be even higher this year. I agree with expanding Frederiksen Court and using revenue bonds and revenues from current operations to fund the expansion. Frederiksen Court is the most popular campus housing option and will generate the necessary funds to support the project.

My question is, if the demand for campus housing continues to increase, will the Department of Residence continue to build more apartment-style living spaces like Frederiksen Court, or will it renovate and expand older dorms on campus, such as Friley and Richardson Court? Personally, I would like the Department of Residence to do the latter since my experience living in the dorms (Martin Hall, freshman year) was one of the best living situations I have ever had.

While Frederiksen Court is technically “on campus,” there are off-campus apartments comparable and far less expensive than Freddy. I predict the popularity of Frederiksen Court will decrease in the future, especially when there are more affordable alternatives. If the older dorms were updated, the extra cost of living in the dorms compared to an apartment is justifiable because of the “added value” campus life provides to the college experience. I look forward to seeing where the trend in housing options goes and what path the Department of Residence decides to take campus housing.