Aurora University plans temporary housing

Before Aurora University opens its sixth residence hall in early 2012, the school expects demand for on-campus housing to exceed supply.

So while construction crews work on the first floor of the new dorm, the school is making temporary housing plans for about 45 students.

Six university-owned homes that previously were offices will begin housing a total of 45 upperclassmen when the fall semester begins Aug. 29, spokesman Dave Parro said.

“This is a temporary way for us to relieve pressure in the residence halls for one semester until the new residence hall opens in January (2012),” Parro said.

The university’s five residence halls currently house 670 students, with one-third of them living in triple rooms, Parro said. Projections indicate 700 students will request on-campus housing beginning in August.

Students must apply by Feb. 21 for the privilege to live in one of the homes, which each will hold between six and 12 students, Parro said.

The homes are in a two- block radius on the southeast side of campus, with four of them in the 400 block of Gladstone Avenue, one at 1321 Prairie St. and the last at 431 Calumet Ave. They used to provide space for social work offices, athletic offices and the university’s mail room before an addition to Alumni Hall opened last month, Parro said.

Temporary occupancy permits from the city allow students to reside in the homes for 18 months or until the new dorm opens, according to a city memo. The homes must not have complete kitchens and must be visited by a residence assistant daily, according to the memo.

“These will be treated as residence halls, that’s why they can’t have kitchens,” Parro said.

Alderman Rick Lawrence, whose ward includes the university and surrounding neighborhoods, said he reviewed the memo in case residents question why students can reside in the homes.

“It actually works out much better having them close to the Aurora University police than having them scattered,” Lawrence said.

When the $7 million new residence hall is complete, between 105 and 116 students will move in, eliminating the need for temporary housing — and possibly the houses themselves.

“There is no plan to use them right now. There’s a possibility they’ll eventually be torn down,” Parro said. “If they’re not torn down right away, they will be closed and maintained until we figure out the plan.”