The Office of Housing at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette has informed The Vermilion of some misinformation in a recent article published this week.
“Students staying in hotels to move onto campus in the spring semester” by Kayla Crane-Woods, explained the move-out confirmation of students at satellite locations onto campus, following an email interview with the director of property management, Dawn Miller.
When Crane-Woods asked in the email correspondence, “Are students living in the hotels going to be moved onto campus by next semester?,” Miller responded, “Yes, all students are going to be assigned to a space on campus by the start of the Spring 2025 semester.”
A specific hotel was not mentioned by Crane-Woods. However, when asked, “Approximately, how many freshmen are still housed in the hotel?,” Miller stated, “There are approximately 100 students that live in the Woodsprings hotel. There is a a mixture of first-time students and continuing students.”
Given that only the Woodsprings Suites was mentioned by Miller, it is likely that all the responses were in regard to only the students living at the Woodsprings Suites, despite Crane-Woods stating “hotels” in her question.
After proper clarification, it has been determined that only the students living at the Woodsprings satellite location will be moved back onto campus in spring of 2025.
Students of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, that live in both The WoodSpring Suites, an extended stay hotel, and Wingate by Wyndham are expected to move onto campus for the Spring 2025 semester.
Dawn Miller, the director of Property Management, said, “Yes, all students are going to be assigned to a space on campus by the start of the Spring 2025 semester.”
When asked where the extra space came from, Miller explained how students move around, creating the space.
“There is always attrition from Fall to Spring semester due to graduating students and students that choose not to return to the university. These cancellations will allow us the ability to place all students from the hotel to on campus.”
Housing on campus has become more strenuous with the high numbers of enrollment the University is experiencing. If the University is still experiencing a lack of housing for students next semester, Miller said, “the university will still have an agreement in place with the Wingate hotel which will allow us to place students that cannot be assigned on campus.
As for next academic year, the university is looking at options and plans that will help place students.”
Miller noted that while “it can be overwhelming to have all on campus properties full, it is also exciting. It shows that students want to live on campus. They want to experience the great programming and campus access that living on campus provides students.”
Miller concluded that the “University Housing and Residential Life will continue to strive to provide our students the best experience on campus and at our extended locations.”
Haley Mendez, a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering, is a resident of the Wingate by Wyndham.
Mendez spoke positively of her experience at the hotel. “My stay at the hotel has been great so far. I have not had any problems with anything. The shuttles have improved, sometimes there are hiccups here and there but not too bad. I love my roommate and have made friends here,” Mendez said.
Mendez has not heard any mentions of moving out yet, but that does not bother her since she likes living at the hotel.
Mendez said if she were to leave she would miss many things about the hotel. “I would definitely miss the quietness there is here at my hotel. Certain eating areas that are closer to me. I just like how smaller it feels and it’s not too much. I feel like that is what I will miss the most.”
Though she has gotten used to living at the hotel, Mendez noted accessibility of campus as something she would enjoy having. “If I were to move on campus, I would look forward to being in my friends’ dorms a lot more frequently. Not having to wake up extra early to arrive at class, instead taking my time. Getting to events and meetings would be better. Just being on campus. Everything is more accessible,” Mendez said.
Trevante Jones, a freshman majoring in computer science, currently stays at the WoodSpring Suites.
So far, Jones’s experience at the hotel has been good, besides the Wi-Fi.
When asked how he felt about moving onto campus, Jones expressed his ambivalence towards the situation and how he believes the hotels are better than campus, particularly the hotel beds.
“I don’t feel any different about it. I just feel like being at the hotel is low-key better. I sleep very good at night. It is kind of hard for me to get up sometimes because it feels good to lay in the bed.”
Jones revealed he would miss the community that he was able to be a part of at the hotel. “I’ll say the people around there. They are cool. You just knock on their door. All of us are like family in there, so if anybody got something that you need you can go ask them. It is like we’re all family,” Jones said.
For most first-time freshmen, on-campus residence halls include Bonin Hall, Coronna Hall, Baker Hall and the first three floors of Agnes Edwards Hall.
For sophomores, juniors and seniors, on-campus housing includes Huger Hall, Legacy Park Apartments and The Heritage Apartments for students 20 years and older.
The university also has apartment-style family housing for students who are married or have dependent children.
With a growing freshman class, the University is making clear attempts to try and accommodate for its growing demand.