More freshmen mean more triples in dorms

During their freshman year, (from left) Stephanie Fitzpatrick, Erica Myrick and Kaitlyn Parry won the Triples Room-Decorating Contest in Russell D residence hall.

5:18 p.m., Aug. 26, 2005--An increase in the number of students who accepted UD’s offer of admission last spring means that 196 rooms in Russell, Rodney, Ray Street and George Read residence halls are being converted from double rooms to triples as the fall semester begins.

“The number of freshmen who accepted the offer of admission to the University of Delaware--3,536--was larger than we expected,” Lou Hirsh, director of admissions, said. “The class has set a record for quality, as well, with the average SAT scores 16 points higher than last year’s class.”

Freshmen are guaranteed housing on campus if they apply in time, and this year’s large number of applicants who accepted admission to UD contributed to tripling, according to Linda Carey, director of student housing assignment services. “We explained that some rooms would be triples during DelaWorld, and freshmen and parents were receptive and understanding,” Carey said.

Although things may be a little tighter in triple living, there can be an upside, according to those who have been there and done that--triple the fun, triple the friends, not to mention a 25 percent discount on housing, Carey said.

Junior Eugene Paulis shared his experiences living in a triple as a freshman. “It’s a matter of attitude,” he said. “If you go in with a positive attitude and are open-minded, things work out. UD has a diverse campus, which is part of the college experience, and my roommates were amazing people who became my best friends my freshman year.”

Paulis had practical hints for triples--build up, not out. “For more storage, raise your bed, add shelves, invest in space savers and share one TV, fridge and microwave. Compromise—one of my roommates was a music major with hang-up clothes; I had fewer hang-up clothes, so he had more closet space and I had more drawer space. It’s doable,” he said.

Recognizing that tripling might require a little more adjustment, Residence Life created a Triples Assistance Program (TAP), coordinated by Samanta Lopez, with advice and special events, ranging from a TAP reception, to a creative room-judging contest to an “Ice Scream” party in September. There also is a newsletter, “Three’s Company,” with helpful tips and strategies for helping things go smoothly.

The program also helps with suggestions on getting along with roommates, drawing up a roommate agreement, communicating and assistance with de-tripling when space becomes available, although many students don’t want to leave and chose to continue living in a triple. Special UD fleece blankets also are given to those in tripled rooms.

For more information on TAP, go to [www.udel.edu/reslife/students/tap.html].

Article by Sue Moncure
Photo by Duane Perry

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