After their first year on campus, students look for living situations that fit their everyday needs and financial conditions.
Some students choose to live outside of Oregon State University after their first year, but for those who don’t, there are housing options to consider for a possible return to campus, and it can be helpful to start looking early.
According to the University Housing & Dining Services website, returning to campus living could save students up to $1,200 with a discount for second-year and above students.
“The biggest financial benefit for students who want to live in the residence halls past their first year is our returning resident discount where a student who decides to live on campus again receives $400 off their residence hall room rate per term throughout the year,” said Brian Stroup, UHDS director of operations and facilities.
Housing contracts on campus can be canceled with no penalty, as there is no subleasing. The offered residence halls for returning students are Halsell, Tebeau, Hawley, Buxton, Bloss, Callahan and the International Living-Learning Center. Each of these halls has at least one floor completely dedicated to second-year and above students.
Residence halls at OSU have been set up in coordination with amenities offered on campus, such as being near other residence halls. Every hall is within a 15 minute walk from the Valley Library, the Memorial Union and Dixon Rec Center, according to Stroup.
Stroup said benefits that come with living on campus include having a dining plan, being close to classes and high-speed internet that is provided on campus.
The Gem is a more traditional apartment-style hall across Monroe Ave. for students seeking a more independent style of living. However, the discount for returning students is not offered at the Gem.
Stroup said a major struggle for students is not having enough housing locations. UHDS is constructing new housing options such as the new 1045 SW Madison Ave. location that offers upper-division and graduate student apartment-style suites.