In one of the most controversial moves made by Georgia State University in recent years, University Housing recently passed a new rule requiring all incoming freshmen to stay in university housing, leaving many current students in a position to come up with new plans for living near campus.

While University Housing has given freshman students priority in entering housing at the Village in years past, the new regulations cause concern for current students who reside at the Village.

As of fall 2006, Sparta, Olympia, and Ithica will become freshman-only dorm halls, leaving Athina as the only place for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors to live.

By restricting upperclassmen to Athina, which contains 658 rooms (minus rooms for CAs and ACAs), students are now scrambling to find other places to live.  Student reactions have been mixed over the situation.

Jessica Rice, a Film/Video major, commented, “I was able to get housing at the Village for next year, so the new arrangement did not affect me directly.  However, many of my friends who had wanted to live here won’t be able to.”

Erika Yates, a Psychology major, is another student who managed to get in after the lottery held for those who met the priority deadline of Jan. 17.

Had she not received a spot, though, she doesn’t think she could’ve continued to attend Georgia State due to the higher costs of the University Lofts, the MetroPointe Lofts, or other alternate student housing options.

When it came to her opinion on the new rules, Yates explained that “it’s not fair for Georgia State to infiltrate the Village with so many freshmen.  What about the upperclassmen who’ve already given their time to the university?  This housing issue is just another way for students to get screwed over by Georgia State.”

Jake Mize, an Exercise Science major who also managed to get a room from the initial housing lottery, also feels that the school is going too far with the requirement.  “I think the decision to make three-fourths of the dorms freshman housing is ridiculous seeing as the upperclassmen should have first-come basis.”

Not every student has been so fortunate.  Joseph Vann, a Chemistry major, is one of the many students on the waiting list for a room next year.

Like many students, should he not get into the Village next year, Joseph plans to find an apartment somewhere else in the metro Atlanta area.  Though he applied for housing, Joseph considers that not getting in might be a sort of blessing due to the occasionally dangerous environment at the Village.

Other students just refuse to go through the hassle of waiting for a glimmer of hope to stay at the Village for multiple reasons.  John Thompson, a Marketing major, intends to rent a house next fall with friends.

His reason for moving out ultimately came down to the amount paid per month compared to living space, which is a popular reason among others not returning to the Village next year.

More students are expected to apply this year to some of the alternative housing options available to Atlanta college students, including the MetroPointe Lofts and 100 Midtown.

Since these places are privately owned and not controlled by any one university, the apartments available to students are more aesthetically pleasing than what can be found at universities around Atlanta, including Georgia State’s Village and University Lofts.

Two of the more popular alternative student residences, MetroPointe lofts and 100 Midtown, offer several amenities not seen at most traditional apartment complexes.

MetroPointe Lofts offers fully furnished bedrooms and living room, including a 27” television in the living space.  They also provide a shuttle to both Georgia State and AUC, which is uncommon at other residences that only offer shuttles to Georgia Tech.

100 Midtown is located in the heart of the city and offers hotel style bedrooms that overlook the 75/85 Interchange.  Their kitchens include full-size appliances and a breakfast bar for those on-the-go meals.  They also provide state-of-the art facilities such as a gym and game room.

Both residences offer individual-leased bedrooms, a major perk for students who are first-time apartment dwellers.

However, leasing rooms at alternative student housing residences are limited.  So if you are one of the students affected by the Village’s new requirement, you are encouraged to find housing as soon as possible.