Everyone at Kent State University is wondering where all of their students will live.  With retention rates higher than ever and freshman classes growing each year, Residence Services is looking for more space.  The question is how are they going about it and what are their future plans?  Reporter Rex Smith has the story.

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Kent State University students that live on campus and have atleast thirty credit hours have recently received an email from Residence Services.  While sophomores are usually required to live on campus, they are being given the opportunity to live off campus so more space will be created for incoming freshman.

Just a little over a thousand students were emailed about this opportunity, but an associate director at residence services, Dave Thompson, believes that only thirty students may take them up on the offer because of financial reasons among other factors.

Although space is limited, Residence Services has no new plans to add to their limited amount of space.  On top of the additional money it would cost students, a big factor is what will happen during down times when retention is not as high.  Taylor believes that extra space would be turned into offices and such during down times.

When asked about the idea of building another residence hall, Taylor said, “That’s fiscally irresponsible to do that.”

Instead, they have focused their attention on renovations.  Residence Services recently spent about $38 million to renovate the tri-tower dorms on Kent’s campus.