 "Photo: David J. Olender, Assistant Photo Editor")
As San Diego State continues to expand its student population, the increasing demand for on-campus housing is a persistent problem. In recent years, long waiting lists for housing have become the norm. Last year, the waiting list had to be cut off at 800 license agreements and of those, 200 were sent back. However, this year, the list never passed 300, according to Patricia Francisco, director of housing administration.
With the addition of Aztec Corner Apartments and the changing of Cuicacalli suite double-occupancy rooms to triple-occupancy, there are now 700 more available beds on-campus than last year, Francisco said. As of now, there are only 34 people on the waiting list.
The Aztec Corner Apartments is a complex that SDSU is sub-leasing to students and is different from any of the SDSU-constructed housing. The fully furnished apartments come with full-sized beds, a garbage disposal, dishwasher and a 32-inch flat screen television in each living room. There's also an option to use the complex's underground parking for an additional charge. Unlike traditional housing, the apartments are rented out in 11-month leases, paid in 11 installments and utilities for each apartment are split among the residents.
International business freshman Heather Nelson, who will be moving into the Aztec Corner Apartments, said she chose the apartments for the big beds and full kitchen. All first-year students residing in student housing must have a meal plan, according to the SDSU Housing Office Web site.
Before this semester, no SDSU dormitory has ever had triple-occupancy rooms. Francisco said the triples at Cuicacalli are now more affordable and are popular, as they sold out quickly.
Communication freshman Hannah Bauhofer, who will be moving into a triple-occupancy room, said sharing a room with two other girls would be good and bad.
"It's good because if you don't like one (roommate) then you have a chance to have a roommate you do like," Bauhofer said. "It's bad because there is definitely less space. As long as I don't get the top bunk I think I will be just fine living with two other girls."
Bauhofer said she wanted a single room, but she chose the triple because it costs $3,000 less.
The new environmental impact report for SDSU's Campus Master Plan includes plans for 3,000 more beds on campus by 2012.
"We are waiting for the Master Plan to be approved so that we can proceed with construction (of the planned housing)," Francisco said. "But in meantime we're still looking for opportunities where we can buy or lease an existing building, like we did with Aztec Corner."
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