Credit Spartan Echo: ODU & NSU Logo Merged
Norfolk State University (NSU) students are living in Old Dominion University (ODU) apartments this semester as part of a partnership to ease NSU’s ongoing housing shortage.
The agreement between the two universities began in January, after NSU faced a lack of housing space caused by rising enrollment. To accommodate the overflow, students were placed in “Proximity at ODU” which is an apartment style complex while other students have been placed in nearby hotels.
According to a report from 13 News Now, students have been placed in hotel accommodations since 2023. The Proximity agreement is a step in a positive direction to ensure students have adequate housing that is closer to campus.
The reactions and responses of students housed in Proximity to the local hotels have varied. Some students are excited to be in off-campus apartments, while others are not.
“As a student who has had on-campus housing, I enjoy the amenities of being in the ODU apartments,” said Jaeloni Smith, who was placed in Proximity. “I dislike having to transport myself to and from campus for class and events held on campus. A downside to being located in proximity is the bug problem and other people leaving trash everywhere. But I do enjoy having my room and space to enjoy and decorate.”
Transportation has been one of the biggest concerns for students. Autumn Mendonca, who was placed at Hilton Tree Hotels, said relying on the shuttles has been difficult.
“Last year, I lived on campus at New Residential,” Mendonca said. “Being placed in the hotels, I have to rely on the shuttles to get to and from campus. I sometimes find it very hard to rely on when you have classes spread apart and not back-to-back like some students. I hope NSU finds more on-campus housing because I do not like staying off campus.”
As the fall semester continues to unfold students will continue to stay housed within the current off campus arrangements until a long-term solution has been reached. Further plans to address the housing challenges remain unclear, with hopes of being resolved in the future.
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