For some students, Spring Break is filled with beaches and tans. For others, Spring Break includes the inside of a residential college.
Students who are involved in athletics or live too far from home to travel for the week stay in a residential college for the week in interim housing.
This housing is something Kenneth Ashlock, associate director of housing for administrative services, provides to students who need a place to stay for the week for $12 a night.
Students who stay in a residential college may stay for only a few nights or for the whole week, and dozens of students take advantage of the opportunity every year.
“Last year we had approximately 150 students stay on campus during Spring Break,” Ashlock said. “Some students remained on campus for the entire break while others stayed only one or two nights. Approximately 40 of these individuals were student athletes.”
As of now, approximately 35 students are in need of housing, Ashlock said, which includes international students and student athletes staying for practices or games held during the week.
Students who are in need of interim housing during Spring Break will be housed in Regents, White or Lee Clark residential colleges.
The residential colleges are chosen based on how many open rooms are available, and rooms that are already occupied will not be used.
Residential advisers Jennifer Donald, junior from Dupo, Ill., and Mara Hackethal, a senior from Cobden, Ill., said the interim housing is important for students who are in need of it, and is more cost effective than other options.
“Not everyone is able to afford to go home or there is not enough time to make the long trips,” Donald said. “They can still stay here, and it’s a lot cheaper than a hotel, too.”
The $12 charge for staying on campus can be added to student accounts, so no money is needed up front for the interim housing.
While it’s not a large number of students staying on campus during this time, Donald said many of the international students and athletes are friends, which can make the stay on campus more enjoyable for them.
“Anybody that wants to be on campus can stay,” Hackethal said. “And we don’t have to do the normal RA jobs, like programs, for that week.”
Students who choose to stay on campus for the break will not need to move completely out of their rooms, but only need to take items such as clothing, medicine, electronics and other necessities, since permanent rooms will not be accessible.
The deadline for student to apply for interim housing during Spring Break is March 14.
Story by Mary Bradley, Staff writer