In many Fresno State dorm rooms, three students are having to sleep in a space designed for two.
Dozens of students were only given the option to select a room with two additional roommates as opposed to the standard options of a single (one person), double (two people) or triple (three people).
“Even though I didn’t apply mega late or even close to the deadline, the community triples were the only options left when it was my turn to sign up,” said third-year Fresno State student Jacky Contreras. “We didn’t have much of a choice.”
The standard community double bedroom set-up includes two loft beds with built-in desk areas beneath them. They’re also equipped with two closet spaces.
With three students in a room, one of the loft beds is replaced with a bunk bed, leaving only one desk space and the two closet spaces that must be divided three ways, making for very cramped conditions.
The size of the room is 14 feet by 12 feet 2 inches, according to the Fresno State Housing FAQ page. This leaves approximately 56 square feet per person.
Granted, community triples run significantly less in price at $5,037 as compared to $5,937 for a double and $8,394 for a large single.
However, what students save in money, they pay for in reduced study space and overall personal space.
“Student Housing was able to accommodate more students on campus and who were on the waitlist by offering triple occupancy rooms,” said Student Housing Director Erin Boele in a response to The Collegian about the updated on-campus living situation.
Like last year, students this semester were given the option to reside in the Towneplace Suites on Fresno Street and Herndon Avenue.
Beole stated that 50 students accepted this offer but have all since been moved on-campus.
And while Fresno State has increased the number of beds for student housing from 1,070 to 1,310 by adding 240 new beds and tripling the occupancy in double rooms this fall, the school’s website reports that there are still 1,199 students who weren’t able to obtain student housing.
This number is confusing, considering Boele told The Collegian that all students that needed housing this semester had been accommodated.
When asked to clarify the numbers, the student housing department did not provide a response. The Collegian reached out numerous times and through different mediums of communication and the department did not respond.
The department also forbade resident assistants from answering any questions regarding the matter.
Affordable Housing Project
To combat the demand for more student housing, Boele spoke about the anticipated construction of the Affordable Housing Project, a project that will add 228 apartment-style rooms, with special units designed for students with children.
The 80,000-square-foot building will be located near the Cedar and Shaw avenues intersection and will sit close to the existing student housing facilities.
The Affordable Housing Project will take an investment of $59 million paid for by a $34 million grant from the state and additional funding provided by the CSU Systemwide Revenue Bond program.
Construction is expected to begin in late 2024 with an estimated completion by Fall 2026.
This would be the school’s biggest student housing project since the 1960s.
