A New Take on Campus Housing

Being a new student on the IU campus is undoubtedly exciting, with a certain level of apprehension for what living conditions will truly be like in the residence halls. Whether you are assigned a random roommate or negotiate a deal with one of your best friend forever, no one can accurately describe exactly what living on campus for the first time will be like. As any past or current student will tell you, certain residence halls are more accommodating than others in terms of amenities and space. For instance, some residence halls have air conditioning, elevators, formal study lounges, recreation areas and even convenience stores. Others have only a select few of these amenities, but offer a more communal living environment where residents bond and participate more heavily in thematic events.

After living on campus for the first year, many students begin wishing for a little more personal space, whether it be a bigger room or simply their own bathroom facilities. And in years past, the typical remedy for this desire was to move off campus into a house or apartment. For many, this is the way it was meant to be, no more community showers, your own bedroom, a personal washer and dryer, and of course a kitchen…But for most, these amenities would be greatly appreciated on campus more so than off campus.

Although it has been a long time coming, there is finally an alternative to cramped, shared facility, on-campus housing. This fall marked the opening of Union Street Center, the newest addition to the residence hall community at IU. With enthusiasm and anticipation for this new on-campus housing option, many students waited anxiously for registration to begin early in the spring 2010 semester. This excitement is a clear indication of how most students view living on campus at Indiana University. With spacious living accommodations for 1 to 4 persons, the apartments feature private bathrooms, individual sinks, full kitchens, high-efficiency washers and dryers and individual bedrooms ranging from 130 to 170 square feet. The sprawling complex also provides students with ample green space, bike racks, and walking paths to navigate to and from all 7 residential buildings. And while located on the Southeast edge of campus, walking distances a reasonably short to nearly all major classroom buildings.

Living at the heart of IU is a pleasant experience that enables easy, open collaboration with other students and faculty throughout the semester(s), immersion within countless cultural and academic events, and close proximity to classes. And with buses running around campus and to various places throughout Bloomington, IU essentially becomes a transportation hub for students. Whether going to class, the mall or meeting up with friends that live off campus, the transportation options are seemingly endless both in regards to hours of operation and route/destination.