By WMBD TV

NORMAL – Illinois State University students have mixed responses to alternative housing after the university announced the cancellation of a housing project last year.

The plan is for the University to explore other housing solutions such as certified housing in order to house the large number of people, especially with ISU accepting their largest freshman class last semester.Illinois State University welcomes largest entering class ever

Certified housing is where a third party housing company enters into an agreement with the university to provide housing for students.

In a State of the University address given by ISU’s president, Dr. Aondover Tarhule, he said the plan for the housing was ditched last year due to a rising increase in construction costs.

“The university is considering creative options for various partnerships to address the need for additional campus housing,” Tarhule said. “The project was put on hold during COVID. Since then, significant increases in construction costs have made it impossible for Illinois State to move forward with our original plans.”

In regard to private housing, some students believe it could be a good thing.

“I like apartment living,” said Amanda Rogers, a sophomore. “My friends live there, I’m there most of the time anyway. So, I mean, it gives you a good experience to grew up and learn those things.”

Some students, like Dan White, a Junior, said apartments could add extra financial burdens to students instead of paying for housing within tuition.

“If they’re taking that away,” White said, “I feel like that might negatively impact the student experience because then you have to worry about, you know, getting a job outside of class, working that job, paying rent and doing all the stuff that would be taken care of by the university.”

While there are still different solutions being looked at, a spokesperson for ISU says certified housing remains a viable option.

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