Despite the 11 residence halls and living facilities across campus, Texas Tech still does not have enough space for its growing population.
Incoming freshmen are experiencing the largest overflow housing problem to date at Texas Tech, Michael Shonrock, vice president of Student Affairs, said. About 200 freshmen have been notified that they do not have a room. Some have been assigned to study lounges, while others have been placed in the University Plaza.
Although Tech has experienced previous housing shortages, this year exceeded past years, Shonrock said. Housing officials expected the growth, but the facilities on campus are not sufficient. The university attempted to make other arrangements before the incoming students arrived on campus.
As a result of the housing woes, Housing and Hospitality Services are allowing new students to live off campus, which is a first for Tech, he said. In past years, all freshmen were required to sign a contract with Housing and Dining to live on campus.
"We have had such tremendous growth that we do not have the space for students," he said. "Not only has entering freshmen broken enrollment records, but there has been a sharp increase in transfer students as well."
Many residence halls are accommodating students in study lounges. While residence assistants bring in furniture and have a lock installed on the lounge doors, Shonrock said, some parents are concerned about the length of time students will live there.
There might be several rooms open after the university determines the amount of students moving in after the tuition and housing deadline on Aug. 16, he said. Some students might have decided not to attend Tech, while others might decide to make other living arrangements.
"Because we have no idea if the housing arrangements are temporary, we are planning either to give the students a credit on their housing bill or to put money on the students' Tech Express accounts," he said. "We are waiting to get feedback from both the students and the parents."
Student Government Association President Kelli Stumbo said the SGA is helping overflow freshmen and transfer students find housing.
"Everyday, we have asked McDougal properties to send us a list of available apartments," she said. "Students can either come by our office in the Student Union building, or they can call us to request a certain apartment specifications. If they want a two bedroom, we tell them what we have available, but these apartments are going very fast."
Chancellor David Smith said the university has leased the second and third floors of the University Plaza to house overflow students.
"Really, these accommodations are not bad at all," Shonrock said. "Some students may not want to leave the temporary housing."
The university is planning to build more housing facilities to make room for more students, Smith said.
"We are planning to build more on-campus apartments, which would closely resemble the Carpenter-Wells model," he said. "We need to work with the legislature on formula funding to receive money for this project."
Smith said he anticipates continued growth in the future.
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