Unique Housing Offer Sparks Little Response

Lyndon's housing options are growing. Seven students are now occupants of LSC's newest residential building, located several miles off-campus at 1111 Main St. in St. Johnsbury.

The new housing was first offered to returning, already-housed students through an email sent out by Residential Life Director Erin Rossetti.

"We gave them the first opportunity to live down there," says Rossetti. "I had a list of students who didn't go though housing selection by the deadline who were then put on a waiting list so I offered the housing to those students as well."

According to Rossetti, there was not much of a response to her email as she had expected, but she suspects that the lack of reply has something to do with students not being able to see the new residence hall before move-in day.

"Most of the students who have gone down there to see it are like, 'Holy cow, this isn't what I was picturing; this is really cool'." Rossetti adds, "If we had known earlier on and had the opportunity to show it in the spring during housing selection, it might be different...(students) didn't want to give up their space on campus for an unknown."

The last minute decision to rent the complex, which used to be a residence hall for St. Johnsbury Academy, came about when an overflow of new and returning students overwhelmed the housing available on campus.

Rossetti also stated that this isn't the first time LSC has faced this situation. Students have been housed in hotels briefly at the beginning of various school years.

Wayne Hamilton, Dean of Administration, said the college will pay a yearly rent, but the cost does not include utilities such as electric, water, oil for heat, snow plowing, cable, and the wireless internet for the portion of the building LSC is occupying.

The rest of the building belongs to the Quatrini Real Estate Agency, who also owns the building.

And, although there is a full kitchen in the building, all of the residents are allowed to choose from any of the offered meal plans or may choose to not have one at all.

Since the new housing option requires a bit of a commute to campus, Lyndon has made efforts to make the transition to incorporating an off-campus residence hall a little easier. For students who do not have a vehicle, there is a shuttle system in place. Rossetti is available to pick-up and drop-off students "at the drop of a hat," but says that the students have figured out rides on their own, either carpooling or getting rides from friends, and she hasn't had to drive over to St. Johnsbury unless she was showing the building to a potential resident.

The added bonus? It costs less.

"The cost is $500 less then a double room on campus. It kind of makes up for the gas to commute, the cost of food if they choose not to have a meal plan, and the 'inconvenience,'" says Rossetti.

Depending on how the year goes, other residence options may become a regular housing option for Lyndon. While it is a commute, it is an option for off-campus housing without signing a lease.

And, as Head Resident Taylore Aussiker says, "It's quiet."