For the third time in the last four fall semesters, Texas Woman's University is having to go off-campus to house some of the resident students in Denton.
University leaders report 2,151 students assigned to their university housing as of this week; a larger number than they have capacity for, especially in their freshmen and sophomore dormitories.
As a result, Interim Vice President for Student Life Monica Mendez-Grant said they've contracted with a few off-campus sites to act as temporary housing to start the fall semester.
"Subleasing some apartment complexes, we have an agreement with seven apartment complexes," said Mendez-Grant.
They've also put up about 100 students at a nearby Holiday Inn in Denton.
Denise Orosco, a senior transfer student, is among the hotel residents and said while she was disappointed at first to hear about the hotel arrangement, she quickly changed her tune once she got to her room.
"I have temporary luxury," Orosco joked.
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The students have all of the accommodations of staying in the hotel, including maid service, pool use, continental breakfast, larger beds and more overall living space.
"You do get your bathroom cleaned every day," Orosco said. "This is like a good, 'Welcome to Texas Woman's University.' It's a good way to say it right?"
The university provides shuttle service from the hotel for the students and also gives them the comforts of on-campus living, like on-site resident advisers and group events.
"I've had a couple of students say if someone doesn't want to go there let me know, I'd be happy to trade," said Mendez-Grant with a laugh.
Of course it's just a temporary arrangement. Mendez-Grant said space in the dorms generally frees up within the first 4-6 weeks, and they're then able to move students over.
"As we have spaces open up in the residence halls, then we'll move the students from the Holiday Inn back to the university," she said.
The need to work with hotels also came up in the fall semesters of 2011 and 2012.
University leaders are working to evaluate needs at the growing school, including the possibility of adding residence hall space, but no formal plans were laid out at this time.
TWU has more than 1,200 incoming new students this year, including 30 valedictorians and 101 honors scholars.
