Hillsdale College’s student enrollment has reached a record-breaking 1,460 students. The larger-than-normal student body has forced campus administrators to search for solutions to provide more on-campus housing.
This past year, the college purchased multiple off-campus properties and converted them into college residences. Associate Dean of Women Rebekah Dell explained the decisions to seek additional on-campus housing depends on demand and the incoming freshman class.
“We traditionally err on the side of caution. When allowing students to live off campus we start first with all the seniors, and we slowly move down the list based on estimated numbers from the admissions office,” Dell said. “In June, we know how many on-campus beds we need to fill.”
Chief Administrative Officer Rich Péwé explained that the acquisition of properties benefits the college in three ways – future student housing, land holdings, or visiting professor residence.
“If you can pick up a property you need, and in addition you provide housing that the students like, there is that convenience factor,” Péwé said.
The college just recently purchased the former home of retired Accounting Professor Febes Facey. The house is located on the corner of Oak Street and Academy Lane.
“We needed that piece of property for someday down the road. We plan on building a turf field, and now we have the ability to do so,” Péwé said. “We will turn it over to the deans, unless we intend on using it for faculty property.”
The Suites was the last dormitory built to help with on-campus housing. Péwé said that although the college enrollment has grown, the Suites kept up with students demand for on-campus housing.
“Many institutions like ours have a different policy for off-campus housing, some even try to get 100 percent on campus. That is not our policy,” Péwé said.
As of now, 78 percent of the student body lives in college-owned housing.
