Kent State University has become the largest college in Northeast Ohio. With over 28,000 students enrolled just at the main campus, space has become a predominate issue with students living in Residence Halls.

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Kent State University is now the second largest university in Ohio with over 40,000 students enrolled at all eight campuses. During the 2013-14 academic year Kent State main campus had a record 28,000 students enrolled and expect that record to be broken this fall.

Kent State’s student retention rate is also record high. More students are not only staying at Kent State the full four year, but wanting to live on campus past the mandatory two year period.

As the number of enrollment and retention increases, the amount of rooms on campus deceases. This has Residence Services changing the way students are housed on the Kent campus. These changes will include lounge spaces converted to rooms, three to four students housed in larger rooms, and Residence Assistants getting roommates.

 Jill Church, Director of Residence Service said, “Residence Services is aware of the challenges and opportunities large incoming classes can present.  Housing is certainly one of those but there are also class sizes, classroom spaces, dining lines, and services throughout the University that need to be considered.”

Residence Services has been questioned by many student for their current construction and renovation to Tri-Tower. The three residence halls will each have their own sky lounges, which have subtracted sixteen rooms from each residence hall.

Kent State student Richie Mulhall said, “It’s very discouraging as a student who goes here, because you’re going to add all these students and you’re not going to have a way to accommodate them.”

With no future plans for a new residence hall, students and Residence Assistants are forced to transition to the new way of on campus living at Kent State University.