Campus

Residential housing not filled to capacity

IMG_0121 Carolina Fernandez

Old residence halls like the Quadrangle have been overlooked as housing options as students choose to live in newer ones, like Calhoun Lofts and Cougar Place, leaving suites vacant and floors barren. | Carolina Fernandez/The Daily Cougar

Even though the spring semester is in its third week, there are still housing options available for students who are looking to live on campus.

Student Housing and Residential Life said there are openings in all seven of its residence buildings, but this availability changes every day based on students who move in or out.

“With 2,000 new beds from Cougar Place and Cougar Village II that were added in August, that left a good amount of space open,” said Don Yackley, executive director of the department.

This open space is mostly found in Moody Towers and the Quadrangle — UH’s oldest and least expensive residential buildings — while Calhoun Lofts and Cougar Place have scarce openings despite being the most expensive.

Economics and accounting senior Nam-My Le lives at Calhoun Lofts and said he loves it.

“It’s a good mix of dorm and apartment life,” Le said. “It’s a more mature environment, it’s definitely quieter and I get access to a full kitchen.”

Cullen Oaks and Cambridge Oaks, which are managed by private companies but are on-campus housing options, also have not reached full occupancy.

Rates at Cullen Oaks begin at $670 a month for a single-occupancy room, while two people can share a room at Cambridge and pay $470 each a month.

The least expensive rate is for a double or shared room at Moody Towers for $2,252 a semester, while the most expensive is for a furnished single room at Calhoun Lofts for $5,710 a semester.

Some students, like pharmacology graduate student Hesong Liu, find a happy medium at Bayou Oaks.

“You don’t have to worry about utility fees,” Liu said. “It’s very convenient to live on campus. I don’t drive, but I can get to campus in about ten minutes.”

Students can sign up for housing at any point in the semester on the UH Housing website.

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