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Student housing in short supply in town

By Susan Trulove

Virginia Tech Spectrum, July 11, 1996

For the first time in two years, the availability of student housing in town is in short supply.

Karen Frazier, director of the Virginia Tech Off-Campus Housing Office (VTOCH), told the Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) at its June 20 meeting that there will be a shortage of housing for students next semester.

"We are working to get new members, but the university is expecting 837 transfer students and 1,500 international students."

In addition, "The university will bump 1,500 on-campus students to accommodate freshmen," reported John Aughenbaugh, GSA vice president and president of the Commission on Student Affairs. "This represents a dramatic change in the housing situation compared to the last two years."

Frazier explained later that the center recruits apartment complexes and apartment-management firms to be members of VTOCH. "It enables us to provide up-to-date information on what is actually available, rather than sending the student to the 7-11 to pick up a guide."

Members pay a fee based on the number of units, which allows the complexes and managers to post information and participate in the housing fair. VTOCH also receives funds from student fees through the student-run Re-Granting Budgeting Board.