By: Mike Clark

Rising juniors and seniors are being given the exclusive opportunity this fall to be able to lock in their rates for on campus housing for the 2014-2015 school year at the current 2013-2014 rates.

Between now and Oct. 1, rising juniors and seniors will be able to save between 3 percent and 5 percent on their university housing in Buenger Hall, Kuhlman Hall, Fenwick Place, Manor House, Commons Apartments, Village Apartments and the apartments on 1019 Dana Avenue. After the October 1^st deadline, the rates will be put at the values for the 2014-2015 school year, which will cost 3 percent-5 percent more.

The reason for allowing this opportunity is partially due to the amount of students signing on with landlords in the early fall of each school year. A large number of students have the opportunity to lease early without having the opportunity to look at the benefits of on-campus housing during their junior and senior year.  Lori Lambert, senior director of Student Affairs, wishes to change this to allow students the choice to sign up for on-campus housing earlier.

Lambert feels strongly that students should at least consider their on-campus housing choices before they sign with an unknown landlord. Lambert said, “We wanted to make sure that, as students looked into off-campus housing, that they also considered on campus housing for their junior and senior years. We’ve taken surveys and it was said by those who did stay on campus for their junior and senior year, that they enjoyed the convenience, the security, and the personal touch of residence life at Xavier.”

Lambert expressed that, based upon the amount of amenities given to the students for staying on campus, the decision should be up for debate. Signing with Xavier allows the students free internet, air conditioning, electricity, water, food service (if the student chooses to select a meal plan) and safety.

According to Lambert, with a landlord, the choice to stay off campus at first may seem nice. It gives the buyer freedom and the ability to carve out his or her little slice of heaven. However, the horror stories Lambert has heard (such as students having their ceiling falling in and students’ landlords addressing a problem a week later) makes what Lambert calls “the exceptional service of the Xavier residence” more appealing.