The Department of Residence made early check-in more exclusive for the 2003-04 school year.

Standards were higher for those wanting to check in prior to Aug. 20, and the price was higher as well than it has been in past years.

In previous years, students were allowed to move into the dorms early for a $20 per day fee until the beginning of a contract, said Kate Bruns, communications specialist for the Department of Residence.

This academic year, the fee was increased to $40 a day, she said.

“We mainly did it to allow staff more training time and to give the custodians more time to clean and prepare rooms,” Bruns said.

Not only did the fee change, but students were required to make special arrangements with administration, she said.

Only students with special circumstances were approved for early check-in, Bruns said.

“Last year I moved in early because it was the only time my parents could do it,” said Jessica Hughes, sophomore in animal science and resident of Wallace Hall. “Had we not been able to move early then, I wouldn’t have been able to come until almost the day before classes.”

Many students come early to rush in the greek system, practice with the ISU marching band and to do various other things with ISU organizations, Bruns said. These students are admitted early, minus the fee, she said.

Susan McKinley, freshman in agricultural education and resident of Elm Hall, said she moved in early, free of charge for formal sorority rush.

“I’m glad I got to move in early,” McKinley said. “Wednesday [the scheduled move-in day] was awful. It was so hectic.”

Hughes was also allowed to move in early free of charge.

“I work in [ISU] Dining, so I got to check in early,” Hughes said.

The change did not affect students planning to come on the regular check-in day.

Austin Bucholz, sophomore in psychology, said he had no problems with the new policy.

“Last year I checked in early, but this year I moved in on Wednesday and it was fine,” said Bucholz, resident of Larch Hall.

Mark Ewest, resident assistant at Roberts Hall and sophomore in management information systems, said he did not have many complaints about the new policy.

“There were a few disappointed [residents], but most of them understood,” he said.

Another change in the residence halls this year was the absence of the formerly provided telephones. Bruns said not providing telephones will be a lot more efficient and most students had their phones in storage in previous years.

“Most universities do not provide telephones in the dorms,” she said. “Most students bring their own phones or use cell phones.”

Jenifer Smith, community adviser in Friley Hall and sophomore in marketing, said people do not seem to mind the phones are missing.

“Most people bring their own phone,” Smith said.

McKinley said she believes students in college should be able to handle such obstacles.

“If you’re independent, you should not complain [about the phones and check-in],” she said. “Forty dollars a day is less than you would pay at a hotel and phones are not very expensive.”

The changes in the Department of Residence are just minor changes for most students and Bruns said both policies should make the beginning of the year craze go more smoothly.