MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Northern Michigan University’s (NMU) fall semester starting in less than two weeks, and many NMU students are preparing to move into their dormitories.
With the cost of housing in Marquette so high, many returning students found themselves unable to afford accommodations in town and decided to live on campus as an alternative.
As a result, many of the dorm rooms will end up with an extra person to make up for the unexpected increase in demand.
“At the beginning of the summer we identified around 120 rooms that would be over assigned,” said Catherine Hardenbergh, NMU’s director of housing and residence life. “This is about students who, if they don’t have a place to live, either they’re going to be couch surfing, or they’re going to have to find another college. That was really important to us, that we didn’t turn away any of our returners, that we have their backs and we were able to provide a home for them.”
Despite the unexpected circumstances, NMU’s resident advisors (RA) said they are more than up to the task.
“Communication is absolutely key,” said RA Emma Iles. “My freshman year that’s something I learned, that I have to communicate with my room mates because otherwise it just doesn’t work.”
“With so many people in close quarters you might have additional room mate conflicts,” said RA Demetri Sarazin. “but that’s life and you got to learn how to get through that.”
The advisors also said the situation hasn’t deterred their excitement to start the new semester.
“I’m really excited for the year,” said Sarazin. “I can’t wait for all the students to arrive, that’s like my favorite part of the job.”
“I’m here for them,” said Iles. “And at the end of the day college is going to go great for them because as long as they’re putting in the effort that’s all that matters.”
Hardenbergh said NMU will reassign students in over assigned rooms as more rooms become available.
