State-Journal.com - No dorm space on campus

Photo By Hilly Schiffer

Richard DeWolfe, a Kentucky State University freshman from Detroit, turns on his computer at the America’s Best Value Inn where he is currently being housed. Originally, DeWolfe signed up to stay in a dorm on KSU’s campus but there wasn’t enough room.

Because of crowded dormitories " including a new $20 million facility " 61 Kentucky State University students are being housed in a hotel until room can be found for them on campus, an official says.

The students are housed at the America's Best Value Inn on U.S. 127, nearly four miles from the KSU campus.

Felicia Lewis of KSU's external relations told The State Journal the university negotiated a reduced weekly per room rate with the hotel to save on costs, but declined to disclose the price. America's Best Value's basic daily rate is $51.85 plus tax, a clerk said.

A university van shuttles students to and from campus based on student schedules, according to Lewis.

Several students said they didn't mind the accommodations, but the shuttle had caused scheduling problems.

"They could do better in that area," said freshman Mya Tompkins. "I know a couple of times I've either missed a class or been late for a class because of (the shuttle)."

"You've got to wait every hour," said Cedric Parker. "If you miss the shuttle one time, you got to wait until the next hour, that's the only thing I don't like."

Lewis said the students have been at the hotel for two weeks and are being moved to campus as rooms open up.

"Sometimes there are no-shows (in the dorms) and they probably have already started accommodating students," Lewis said.

KSU plans to keep the students in the hotel for three weeks, Lewis said.

"We were planning about three weeks and we're into the second (week)," she said.
Some students wonder if they will be moved to a dorm at all.

"My first day (they) gave me a rough estimate of two weeks, now people are saying they're not sure," Tompkins said.

Freshman Richard DeWolfe said he thinks he'll be in the hotel for the entire semester.

"That's what I'm basically planning on," DeWolfe said.
DeWolfe said he waited for three days for a room assignment, having to pay for a hotel each night.

University officials told him they estimated he would stay in the hotel until last Monday, DeWolfe said.

"He said by Monday, it's Thursday and they're still moving people in here," DeWolfe told The State Journal last week.

Lewis said the university has no plans to keep the students in the hotel for a prolonged period.

"It's not going to be long term," she said. "It's not going to be over the length of the entire semester."

KSU has had crowding issues in previous years and housed students in hotels, but with the opening of the 150-bed Whitney M. Young Jr. Residence Hall in time for fall classes, those problems were thought to be a thing of the past.

With 700 incoming freshman, KSU is increasing its enrollment at the fastest rate in Kentucky among institutions of higher learning even as it remains the smallest. From 2003 to 2007 KSU raised enrollment by 16.9 percent to 2,696 students.