Katie Chambers

COM 140
Campus News Story
Dr. Lingwall
15 April 2015

Clarion University of Pennsylvania implemented a housing policy

that took effect in the fall of 2013. The policy requires all incoming
undergraduate students who meet the following criteria to live in
university affiliated housing for at least four semesters: first-time
college students who are enrolled-full time or transfer students who
have earned less than 24 credits at a previous institution. University
administration implemented this requirement to support student
academic success, enhance student development, and assist students
in making a smooth transition to university life.
Clarion University of Pennsylvanias in-state tuition is
approximately $6,800. Room and board at Clarion is approximately
$10,500. The University offers three types of on-campus housing.
Students can choose to live in dorms, suites, or apartment style
housing in Reinhard Villages. If students choose to live in the dorms or
suites, a meal plan purchase is also required. Brian Acey, a landlord
who leases apartments and houses in the Clarion area for college
students, sets his rates ranging from $1,500 to $2,500 per semester.

Richard Miller leases apartments for approximately $2,300 per

semester. Students who live off-campus are not required to purchase a
meal plan.
The implementation of the housing policy has affected business
for landlords in the Clarion area. The number of students moving off
campus decreased as well. Prior to the policy, freshmen, sophomores,
juniors, seniors and graduate students signed leases for off-campus
housing for the next school year. The policy prevents students from
moving off campus until after their sophomore year. Currently,
approximately 6,500 full-time, part-time, undergraduates and gradates
attend Clarion University. Each class size is approximately 1,500
students. Richard Miller, a landlord who leases apartments and house
around the Clarion campus observed that finding students to rent
apartments is becoming more difficult. He said, Students are not
calling or looking for apartments as much or as early in the school year
as they used to.
Not all students agree with the objectives of the new policy.
Senior, Royce Tippers grades improved when he moved off campus his
sophomore year. I was able to study privately in my room without the
distractions of music and other loud noises coming from my floor
mates or being in a room full of people, he said. I do believe that
moving off campus helped me improve my grades overall. The policy
was also implemented to enhance student development, but Tipper

said, I was happy when I was able to move off campus. It gave me a
new sense of responsibility having to pay my own bills, rent, and
groceries. Although Tipper was satisfied with moving off campus, he
does not regret living in Clarion housing. My living experience is the
dorms was one of my most interesting years of my life. I met such a
variety of people and a few lifelong friends that I wouldnt have met
otherwise, he said.
Sophomore, Brie Kothe, as required to stay in campus housing
because of the new policy. Kothe explained, I enjoyed living in the
suites my freshman year because I was able to meet so many people.
When Kothe reached sophomore status, her attitude about living in
Clarion housing changed. I wish I could have lived off campus because
living in the dorms is extremely inconvenient. Sharing a room is not
ideal for personal space, quiet study time, and normal sleeping
patterns.

Richard Millers Apartment for Rent