Housing demand remains steady at OU

By Jennifer Jackson

Published: April 6, 2006

By Jennifer Jackson, NORMAN - Housing on the campus of the University of Oklahoma is taking on a new look.

Apartments are being torn down, new apartments are being built and some residence halls are being completely remodeled.

Michael Heaton, assistant to OU's director of housing, said the university is meeting demand for on-campus housing through three living environments -- apartments, apartment-style options and residence halls.

Heaton said about 4,500 of the 27,000 students enrolled at the Norman campus live in university housing.

"We anticipate the demand for on-campus housing to remain steady for the 2006-07 academic year," Heaton said.

Residence halls remodeled
All three of the university's residence halls are undergoing a complete makeover to give them a more contemporary look and to upgrade the buildings.

Heaton said renovations will include new roofs, life-safety systems, heating and air units, flooring, lighting and furniture.

"The renovation will provide all moveable furniture that can be configured in a variety of ways providing students with great freedom and flexibility with how their room is set up," he said.

Heaton said renovations to Adams Center and two wings of Couch Center will be complete in August and an additional wing of Couch Center will be complete in December.

Jessica Boggs, OU freshman, said she enjoys living in a dorm because it's close to her classes and it's a great way to meet people.

She said the negative side to living in the dorms is the strict rules.

"I hate the parking," she said. "I don't like the strict rules they have about parking and visitors."

Boggs said her dorm room has yet to be remodeled, however she has seen a renovated room where the new furniture can be moved around to create more space.

"It gives the rooms a modern update and a more homey feeling," she said.

All residence hall renovations are scheduled to be complete by 2010, Heaton said.

The renovations are being funded with $75 million in housing revenue bonds the OU Board of Regents approved, Heaton said.

The revenue bonds also funded the construction of OU Traditions Square East apartments, which opened in August and will fund the OU Traditions Square West complex.

Out with the old
The university-owned Parkview Apartments will close at the end of May after more than 50 years of operation. A new complex is scheduled to open this fall.

"The facility (Parkview Apartments) has served the university community well but has outlived its useful life," Heaton said.

He said about 300 Parkview residents will be relocated to other university housing at Kraettli apartments, OU Traditions Square and upper-class communities at the residence halls.

"We anticipate being able to accommodate all the students who live there," he said.

LaQuincey Reed, Parkview resident, said he was informed about the complex closing at the first of the year and agrees that they need to be shut down.

"They're pretty bad," the OU senior said. "Some of the tiles in my apartment are cracked, and it seems like sometimes, it's constantly dirty, no matter how hard you clean."

Reed, who plans to move into an off-campus apartment complex, said fliers advertising apartment complexes are being placed outside of residents' doors almost each day.

A new apartment complex, OU Traditions Square West, will open in August and accommodate 576 students, Heaton said.