Starting in the 2019-2020 school year, ASU University Housing is partnering with the apartment complex Roosevelt Point to provide housing to upperclassmen students on ASU's Downtown Phoenix campus.
During the fall 2018 semester, increased enrollment caused overcrowding in the dorms and students had to move into off-campus housing until space was made available at the end of the semester.
Read more: ASU University Housing moves Taylor Place residents off campus for the fall semester
Jasmine Reed, a freshman majoring in health care coordination, was supposed to move into the Taylor Place dorms but found out that she was being moved to the Sheraton Grand Phoenix a few days before classes started until further notice.
Reed said that living in a hotel was a very different experience, but she enjoyed some perks like free breakfast and laundry service.
“Living in a hotel was like being in an episode of 'The Suite Life of Zack & Cody,'" she said. "But being in Taylor Place feels more like being at home.”
By the time the fall semester came to an end, students were able to move out of the hotel and into the campus dorms.
Jordan Bates, a freshman majoring in exercise and wellness, said he was also moved into the Sheraton in August and was disappointed to miss out on the classic college dorm life experience.
“It got a little annoying always having to come to Taylor Place and sign in as if I don’t go here,” he said.
Frank Witt, senior director of real estate operations with Greystar Real Estate Partners which manages Roosevelt Point, said in an email that this partnership “is a way to immediately address a student housing shortfall without the expense of developing a new building.”
“Students are able to live in high-quality student housing close to where they attend classes,” Witt said.
Kevin Schaudt, director of operations for Taylor Place, said the University’s goal is to guarantee housing for all freshmen.
“The University as a whole can (now) accommodate as many students as necessary, especially freshmen because that’s critical to get them grounded their first year and connected," he said.
Schaudt said that students who were displaced from Roosevelt Point were also provided alternative housing in Tempe at the Muse and Union in Tempe apartments with better amenities than were provided in the dorms.
“Students got to live in an apartment, furnished, for the same rate that you live in a residence hall room," he said. "A lot of students liked that opportunity. They could purchase a flex meal plan, plus they got a light rail pass and some other incentives."
He said that, overall, the University wants to provide a fulfilling experience for incoming freshman.
“You want that sense that ‘Oh, this is my community. It’s full and all my neighbors are here,’” Schaudt said.
Reach the reporters at adehave1@asu.edu and tmlane3@asu.edu or follow @adehave1 and @tmflane on Twitter.
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