By: Sierra Sass (Loyola Sophomore)
After years of waiting to move into your freshman-year dorm, you are finally settled in. The rooms are boxy, there are two small twin-sized beds, and for some reason a smell that is indistinguishable. Nonetheless, it is an exciting time, and there is so much to look forward to in your first year on a college campus.
But does the reality of dorm living turn out to be the same as we all see in the movies?
At Loyola University freshmen and sophomores must live on campus in the dorm housing. All together there are 23 residence halls but only 7 options for the first year. For second-year and upperclassmen, there are 16 options. The university believes that campus living is a way to help students make connections and create a community in the students’ beginning years.
The cost of living in the dorms is included in the tuition total cost and is one total payment per academic year.. First year dorms average $9,423 while second year average $10,920. To live off campus the average a student would pay is $13,500 for a nine month period, as they are charged per month.
While strictly looking at cost, on campus housing is cheaper. But, many might see apartments as getting more bang for your buck.
Given that there are variations in the price and location of residence halls, some Loyola students enjoy the policy the school has upheld over the years.
19-year-old Loyola freshman Lizzie Sedakis said, “I think it’s a great idea to acclimate all students together, and it’s easier to get around campus when they’re scared of walking around.”
Living in the dorms is also a way to learn valuable life skills.
20-year-old Loyola junior Peyton Pepkowski said, “I think it’s a really good policy. I believe that freshmen coming into college probably aren’t ready to live on their own. So not forcing, but having them live with someone else encourages them to be respectful of other people’s spaces.”
Some students have the opinion that it is a good policy but some students feel it is absurd and prefer to find housing on their terms.
19-year-old Loyola freshman Maddy Hickey said, “ I think you should technically be able to live wherever you want to, especially with how expensive Loyola is. Education is the most important factor so you should be able to put all your money towards that and find cheaper housing.”
College students are also adults, so should it come down to personal evaluation of responsibility and readiness?
19-year-old Loyola sophomore Dylan Levy said, “I do not think it is necessary, as long as the individual is mature enough to take care of all the responsibilities that it takes to live in an off-campus, apartment or house that they should be allowed to.”
She continues, “I think that it is a lot more expensive and a lot less reasonable to require students to have to live in dorms when they could find something much more affordable.”
Upperclassmen who have experienced both dorm and off campus housing often feel as though other aspects of their life have flourished since living on their own.
20-year-old Loyola junior Riley Owens is much happier off campus and finds her mental health has greatly improved. She said, “I am happier living off campus because it allows me to live more comfortably and create a more homelike space. I also enjoy not having to work around dorm rules and guest policies—now my family and friends can visit me whenever. Overall, I have more freedom living off campus and get to learn how to take care of myself and my own living space.”
Though there are varying opinions from students on the mandatory dorming policies at Loyola, it is safe to say there are abundant options. Whether students enjoy living on campus or choose to move off after their first two years.
