The struggling economy might explain why a record number of beds in UNC residence halls have been left empty this year, housing officials said.
Rick Bradley, assistant director of assignments and communication, said one of the primary reasons living in residence halls has become less appealing might relate to its cost.
“The number of students who have requested to live off campus has increased significantly than years past,” Bradley said.
He said many students’ parents have lost jobs, which forces students to look for cheaper housing options.
“We have allowed students to cancel contracts in order for the students to remain at the University,” he said.
Bradley said there are currently 165 unoccupied beds on North Campus, 208 on South Campus and 61 in on-campus apartments.
He said housing enrollment was increasing consistently until last year, when the offices saw a decrease of 75 students this fall.
“The decline is a concern,” Bradley said.
“We want it to stop from becoming a trend.”
On Wednesday, the department abandoned a plan to stop reserving space on North Campus for freshmen in an effort to increase the appeal of on-campus living for upperclassmen. Officials have said empty beds in residence halls cost the University more than $2 million.