BY ALEX CANTATORE
California State University, Stanislaus students could soon have another housing alternative to compete with the tried and true dorms and off-campus apartments.
Charlotte, N.C., based Campus Crest LLC is planning a 504-bed, 192 unit privately owned and operated dormitory called The Grove for 10 acres of land at 900 and 950 West Monte Vista Ave., just south of the CSUS arts buildings.
Campus Crest expects to break ground on the development this August, with the first new residents moving in for the fall semester of the 2010-2011 school year.
The Grove’s amenities are expected to include a swimming pool, 24-hour gym, fire pit, tanning booth, volleyball courts, coffee shop, and luxury clubhouse. The fully furnished units are said to feature private bedrooms and baths, kitchens, high-speed Internet, cable TV, walk-in closets, and a washer and dryer.
“We provide a great place for students to live, but we strive to create a community that college students can participate in,” said Shannon King, Campus Crest Chief Marketing Officer.
The Grove offers programs geared towards students, such as study sessions with free coffee and snacks during exam weeks and tethered hot air balloon rides to give students, “a new perspective.” Campus Crest also says that The Grove communities reach beyond the university to team with local clubs and organizations for things like recycling projects and big brother and sister programs.
While CSUS students welcome the new housing, some question the viability of the new development.
“Housing for students is always an important thing,” said Andrew Janz, Associated Students Incorporated President, “But I think they have a lot to consider first.”
While Janz appreciated the economic advantages of living close to campus and saving on gas and parking costs, he also cited a lack of demand for current on-campus housing. According to Janz, the on-campus student housing is not up to full capacity due mainly to its high price and stringent rules and regulations.
“It’s that the on-campus housing facility, they don’t treat the students like adults, they treat them like children, and I think that’s reflective in their policies,” Janz said.
Apartments and houses for rent in Turlock average between $300 and $500 per bedroom. A two-person CSUS dormitory room, with mandatory $2,700 food plan, costs $7,745.25 for the academic year.
King said the cost of living at The Grove should fall between dorm and residential prices. While The Grove will feature community assistants and rules, they are expected to be less strict than CSUS policies.
Kristen Olsen, CSUS spokeswoman, said the student housing at CSUS is, “In strong demand and has been in strong demand,” as it ranks among the nicest housing villages in the CSU system. Olsen also said the university had not been made aware of The Grove, and that at last mention, CSUS believed an affordable housing development was planned for The Grove’s site.
Campus Crest, which operates 18 The Grove communities in nine states with 9,520 total beds, remains positive about the development despite local concerns over demand.
“We think the University is growing,” King said. “It has had an enrollment increase of over 20 percent in the last five years. I know the administration is committed to making the university a vital non-commuting university, and we think we can provide a great housing option that’s not currently available for the students.”
To contact Alex Cantatore, e-mail acantatore@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2005.
Originally published in the Turlock Journal 4/22/2009.
Retrieved from the Turlock Journal Web site.