Before the beginning of the fall 2024 semester, over 5,000 students moved into on-campus housing at the University of Utah. However, even with an additional 778 beds on campus with the Impact and Prosperity Epicenter’s completion, housing was still a point of concern for many students and parents.

Freshman Housing at the U

In October 2023, the Office of the President and Housing and Residential Education (HRE) guaranteed housing to all incoming freshmen who applied by the May 3, 2024 deadline. However, the housing process still caused confusion and frustration for many students and parents. 

Freshman Rachel Conder expressed frustration with HRE’s communication. 

“I do feel like housing was very disorganized and it was a struggle to get any good information from anybody,” Conder wrote in an Instagram direct message. “I would talk to one person in housing and then the next person I talked to wouldn’t have any idea what the other was talking about.” 

Some students who applied by the May 3 deadline were still left with few options for on-campus housing. The lack of options caused financial burdens for some students and their families.

Parent Sonia Petkewich told the Salt Lake Tribune, “It’s really like they’re just saying, ‘Take it or leave it, and you better be happy about it.’”

For the 2024-2025 academic year, on-campus housing rates can range from $6,195 per year to $11,524 per year. But Director of Housing Rachel Aho explained that there are ways for students to lessen the financial burden that living on campus can create.

“There are some scholarships that students can apply for, for housing and academic works,” she said. “Those typically open up in the fall.”

There are also payment plans available to students to spread out housing payments. Additionally, those who qualify can use additional financial aid to cover the cost. Information on housing costs can be found on the Housing and Residential Education website.

HRE’s Work to Welcome Students

“I think we were considered a commuter campus by a lot of students,” Aho said. “Now we’re becoming more of a residential campus, and that has been one of our goals.” 

The U has been working on plans to create more “college town magic” on campus. A key part of this goal includes decreasing the U’s dependance on commuting.

“We have been growing year after year, and that is exciting for us in many ways because we know that students who live on campus are 20% more likely to graduate,” Aho added. “It really has a big impact on student success.” 

Aho explained that for many students, this is their first time living away from home. HRE does their best to make the transition comfortable through hosting resource fairs, welcome events and activities for students. 

“One event in particular that was huge this year was our U Belong Resource Fair,” she said. “We had over 2,500 students attend.”

The fair hosted representatives from a multitude of on-campus resources and businesses in the Salt Lake Valley, Aho explained.

“[Move-in] is our chance to welcome new students into our community and to get them connected, get them involved and help them start off their college experience on the right foot,” she said.