Is this true?

aglages · 10-31-2009, 04:52 PM

Does PSU (UP) not have enough rooms for freshmen and some are then required to live in "supplemental housing"(i.e., a study lounges)?

The following was posted on a different forum on this site:

"I'm raising this question now because back, three years ago, when my older daughter received an acceptance from Penn State in November of her senior year, we were advised (by her HS guidance office, other parents-on CC and offline-of Penn State students and applicants, as well as the school, itself)to send in the enrollment/housing deposit & related form ASAP, even if she didn't know yet whether or not she would enroll, so that, should she decide in the spring to definitely enroll in Penn State, she wouldn't end up in "supplemental housing"(i.e., a study lounge ). As it happened, in March she received an admission offer from a school that was a better fit, so before we submitted a deposit to the other school she immediately contacted Penn State to notify them that she wouldn't be attending, and shortly thereafter they refunded 2/3 of our housing deposit."

cagb1016 · 10-31-2009, 07:42 PM

Absolutely true.

aglages · 10-31-2009, 08:58 PM

Appalling! Do they charge the same as for a "normal" room? How about the students that paid for a room in a dorm that had a study lounge and now doesn't....do they get a break on the cost of their room? Man I'd be seriously ticked.

mrtagr · 10-31-2009, 10:21 PM

One of the biggest downfalls for Penn State is the housing. The honors college always gets housing but must live in honors dorm. Penn State does not help their students once they are forced to live off campus if they do not get a housing contract which is many many students. Yours on your own.Probably the biggest negative for Penn State. Living with six students in a lounge is not a good experience!

aglages · 11-01-2009, 12:13 AM

"Living with six students in a lounge is not a good experience!"
^^^
I'm sure PSU doesn't charge much for this arrangement.

Neonzeus · 11-01-2009, 03:35 AM

There is a discount for supplemental housing, and students get moved into doubles or triples as rooms become available.

I too was horrified when I learned about this. Considering how gorgeous the campus is and how the school seems to have money for new construction (the new law school at State College, for ex., and they've started construction on something next to it), I never understood why they just didn't build new dorms. They certainly have the acreage! Some of the dorms are ancient. My kid stayed on campus as a Jr and Sr, and lived in East and West. Those are considered highly desirable dorm complexes, but I thought the furniture, flooring and bathrooms were old, old, old. I never understood why they spent so much money on landscaping, and so little on housing. Last year I got an email that they were suspending all new construction due to budget issues except for projects already in the works, so new housing is unlikely to be initiated soon.

On the other hand, one of the kids from our high school was assigned to supplemental housing. She and her parents were really upset about it at first. By Christmas, she was thrilled. Her "suite-mates" (I don't know what else to call it) became really great friends, and she had a wonderful time with them. They were all still close friends when she graduated last year. She told other kids in our high school that it turned out to be one of the highlights of her college living experience.

They do keep saying that they're trying to reduce the number of students in supplemental housing and most freshmen end up in East in doubles anyway, so this may not be a huge risk.

aglages · 11-01-2009, 09:29 AM

Thanks for the details. Sadly, this housing situation only works if the parents allow it. I think more of the people paying the bills should just say no.

cwryan1 · 11-01-2009, 11:17 AM

Supplemental housing typically goes to those who commit late (April/May) and submit their housing fees later after everyone else. Saying "no" to being assigned supplemental housing will just end up with you scrambling to look for another univ to attend. This isn't high school where the parents have a "say" in what goes on.

Many of my friends who lived in supp housing last year and some this year have loved it. You typically live in a huge room with many people who become your friends. You have the option of moving out as people leave the univ but I know many people who chose to stay.

The above statement that PSU won't help their students once they are forced to live off campus = false. For this year, all upperclassmen who wanted to remain on campus received a housing contact. Some got put into supplemental housing, but they received a contract. Also, if you are in a special living option (honors, engin house, FYS house, WISE, etc) and you want to live their again the following year, you get a special housing contract where you are guaranteed housing in that same SLO for the following year.

Housing fees are significantly lower for Supplemental dorm rooms too.

aglages · 11-01-2009, 01:56 PM

"Saying "no" to being assigned supplemental housing will just end up with you scrambling to look for another univ to attend."
^^^^^
Saying no to PSU and their supplemental housing program should be done in advance by not accepting an invitation to enroll.

"This isn't high school where the parents have a "say" in what goes on."
^^^^
This from a student who lived in the Honors College as a freshman? Ok, who pays the tuition for MOST students? Would not paying for enrollment give a PAYING parent a "say" in whether supplemental housing is acceptable to them? I know you are the exception and your parents didn't contribute financially to PSU for your education or have any "say" in which college you went to.....correct?

cwryan1 · 11-01-2009, 07:07 PM

"I know you are the exception and your parents didn't contribute financially to PSU for your education or have any "say" in which college you went to.....correct?"

False assumption.

Penn State is not going to lose sleep if they lose a few incoming freshmen because they have ****ed off their parents over the housing situation.

aglages · 11-02-2009, 07:30 AM

"Penn State is not going to lose sleep if they lose a few incoming freshmen because they have ****ed off their parents over the housing situation."
^^^^
Who cares what PSU loses sleep over? I thought parents had no "say"? Seems they actually do......including yours.
Of course some parents (and their children) may just be a little more discerning than others.

momwriter · 11-02-2009, 09:04 AM

I've never really heard anyone complaining about losing a lounge, but I did hear some students complain about the potential loss of the Simmons Dining Hall in order to make more housing (that plan has now been postponed for a year).

I think cwryan1 is right...if you are offered supplemental housing or nothing, your choice is to take it - or leave it (and go somewhere else). Tons of people decline their acceptances, so PSU won't even know why you aren't going there unless you find a way to specifically tell them. Not that it would make a difference - they have plenty of other applicants who would gladly take that spot if you don't want it.

When I've asked about this issue, I was told that, as an auxiliary operation, Housing & Food Services must be financially self-supporting. So whatever the university may or may not spend on other stuff (including construction) is irrelevant. But I still think there must be something PSU can do to funnel a little cash in that direction.

Oh, and Neonzeus, I don't think I've ever heard East referred to as highly desirable, LOL. Many kids consider them the worst dorms on campus.

cbd · 11-02-2009, 10:53 AM

There are people in supplemental housing because it is impossible to predict your yield down to an exact number. Many schools have housing issues, not just Penn State. Some schools will triple a room that is only meant for a double. Is that any more desirable? My brother had to do that at his school, and it was VERY cramped.There are many, many students who would love to get a chance at University Park even if it does mean a year in supplemental, so i really don't think Penn State "cares" whether it turns a few off. And I'm sure PSU has done enough housing surveys to know that, while unhappy at first, many students didn't actually mind the supplemental.
My dad went to PSU in the early 80's and they even had people in supplementals back then.

aglages · 11-02-2009, 01:18 PM

"My dad went to PSU in the early 80's and they even had people in supplementals back then."
^^^^
Sounds as though PSU is not working too diligently at correcting the problem.

cbd · 11-02-2009, 02:26 PM

Again, the only way to do it is to predict your exact yield which is impossible. And even if you predicted your exact yield in the fall, you would then have empty rooms in the spring, once students transfer or do not come back for whatever reason. The other alternative is to offer less upperclassmen on campus housing, which current students would not like. Penn State has added/changed housing over the years, building Eastview Terrace singles, Nittany Apartments, and building suites in North.

Aglages, if you are really so bothered by this, if you get accepted,send your deposit immediately. That will increase your chances of 'regular' housing tremendously.If not, I'm sure there will be many many others who would gladly take your spot, and Penn State will not blink an eye.