The Department of Residence is changing the leasing regulations for the Schilletter and University Village apartments in a bid to increase the low number of residents.

Changes in leasing guidelines will no longer require ISU students and faculty to be married in order to reside in university housing, and the apartments are no longer planned to be leased on a gender-restricted basis. In addition, occupants can sign a lease at age 21 instead of the previous age requirement of 23.

Ginny Arthur, associate director of the residence halls, said the main reason for the leasing changes seem to be the increased competition of countless new mega-plex apartments sprouting up throughout Ames.

“We are trying to be more responsive to the market,” she said. “We have a lot of competition in Ames and need to make some changes that will encourage students to live in SUV.”

SUV residents Mike and Danette Bontrager said only three of eight apartments in their section were occupied.

Arthur said the DOR hopes the new guidelines along with the proximity to campus will make the SUV apartments more attractive to more people.

The leasing changes will be implemented for the 2005-06 contract period.

These changes follow a decision made last year which allowed residents to own a dog or a cat in designated areas.

Chris Fowler, program coordinator for residence halls, said 16 residents had pets last year and the designated pet areas will be expanded this year to appeal to more pet owners.

The 500 units at University Village and 256 units at Schilletter affected by the new guidelines have traditionally catered to married couples, families and international students. According to the DOR Web site, 60 percent of the residents are international students.

The Bontrager’s said they did not think they would be affected by the guidelines. They said the DOR is desperate for tenants and more needs to be done aside from changing the leasing restrictions.

The Bontrager’s said the DOR could greatly increase occupancy rates by fixing up the apartments, thus making them more appealing.

The DOR budget for 2006 has been reduced by $3.1 million, following a reduction of $1.7 million in 2004-05.