The University of Colorado at Boulder may have a record number of students this fall, which is increasing the demand for on-campus housing.
Despite the increase, the university聮s housing department remains cautiously optimistic that most freshmen will be accommodated, if not at the start of the semester then within a week or two. Classes begin Aug. 23.
CU-Boulder has 22 residence halls scattered around the campus and at Williams Village. Together they provide space for close to 6,000 students, with freshmen getting first priority.
The College Inn Conference Center on Athens Street also is being put to good use. One floor is housing about 40 students while on another floor 76 students are being found temporary accommodation for about 10 days.
The department聮s reservations manager Ken Kucera said the latest figures show 35 freshmen are on the waiting list, plus around 250 upperclassmen, including transfers from other universities.
Historically about 80 vacancies occur in that first week, but Kucera said this year cancellations have been lighter than usual.
By the spring semester there is always sufficient mid-year attrition to guarantee all freshmen on-campus accommodation and most others on the waiting list, Kucera said.
Some students start moving into halls on Aug. 17, though for the majority the big day is Aug. 18.
Confirmed registration
o This semester marks the first time freshmen and transfer students registering for courses have been able to receive confirmation or suggested alternatives before actually arriving on campus for the fall semester. The new system allows for on-line registration via the Web or through the university聮s telephone voice messaging system, which new freshmen and transfer students used to finalize their schedules during orientation this summer.
Freshmen and transfers began registering in June and now join all other students in knowing where they stand regarding their chosen courses for the fall semester. Among the many benefits of this improved service is that it will require far fewer adjustments for students once the term starts.
Car parking and transit services
o The week of residence hall move-in (Aug. 15-22) is about putting too many cars in too small an area, according to the university聮s parking services. The department聮s Carol Scolari advises students to "follow the directions of parking attendants, unload quickly near their residence halls and move their cars to a peripheral area to make room for others."
o Student parking permits will be sold at the Coors Events/Conference Center Aug. 21-22 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Aug. 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Aug. 20 permits will be on sale only to disabled students, law students, residence hall students and those on special lists from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Students should bring their vehicle registration cards and photo IDs. In the spring information will be available about future on-line permit sales, which should help students avoid standing in line next August.
o Bike registration also will be held at the events center Aug. 20-23 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Discounted bike tune-ups will be available at the bike registration site from the Sports Garage for $10.
Campus police
o New and returning students need to be aware of their personal safety, according to CU police Sgt. Brett Brough. He said students should not feel they are invincible; they need to take care and take sensible precautions at night like walking with a companion and staying in well lit areas after dark.
o Students also need to be on their guard against theft. They should keep a close watch on articles like laptops, bikes and bags and not leave them unattended.
o Brough said there also will be a crackdown on fake IDs this semester. A task force is targeting people who make and sell items like fake driving licenses, but he warns that anyone caught in possession of a fake ID also will be charged.
Health
o The Wardenburg Health Center is confident it can cope with the increased demands of a growing student population. Director David Cooke says the center sees about one third of the student population annually, which could mean about 200 more students this coming year. That translates into an extra 2,000 services for the year, which is well within the scope of the health center.
Books
o At the CU Book Store, located in the basement of the University Memorial Center, assistant to the director Stan Hohnholz has some advice for students wanting to beat the opening week rush. The store will be open for extended hours from 10.a.m to 5 p.m. on Aug. 21 and Aug. 22, and from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 23-24.
Hohnholz said students can expect lines on Monday, Aug. 23, and Tuesday, Aug. 24, and the best way to avoid the wait is to come in between 7:30 a.m and 9 a.m. or after 5.p.m. The grand opening week for the book store聮s cyber caf茅 will begin Aug. 30.