It could be another full year in the residence halls, but not to the same degree as last year.

This year, UA expects nearly 8,000 freshmen to enter the school system, although total on-campus housing accommodates only 5, 971 students. This may leave some parents and students asking where students will be living next year.

Last fall, Residence Life put 500 students in temporary housing (dorm lounges and hotel rooms) because of a flood of applications for guaranteed housing.

On July 3, Residence Life employees started calling some of the 750 students on a waiting list for housing. So far, 140 of those called have accepted spots in the residence halls, while 120 have declined and 60 have not been reached.

This year more than last, students have been shopping around when it comes to choosing a university and a residence hall.

In a typical year, 1,200 to 1,400 students apply for and later decline housing at UA. The reasons range from acceptance to multiple universities and course availability to the state of the economy, said Pam Obando, associate director of the Department of Residence Life.

But this year UA has already received a higher-than-average 1,600 cancellations, which doesnât include students who inevitably cancel days before classes begin.

The Department of Residence life accepts more students than can be accommodated every year, with the expectation that some will decline offers for housing, Obando said.

Residence hall administrators hope to have freed up some space in the halls by implementing a new policy that forbids students from living in the residence halls for more than four semesters.

ãWe were being cautious this year,ä Obando said.

Last year 1,400 sophomore, junior and senior students lived in the residence halls. This year only 1,000 will still be offered housing.

Jim Van Arsdel, director of Residence Life and University Housing, says that although it may seem like a lot of students will be left out in the cold this year by overcrowding, the opposite is more likely true.

ãEvery year we get lots of students who decide to defer from living in the residence hall for one reason or another,ä Van Arsdel said.

In the meantime, Residence Life waits for the completion of Highland Commons, a 770-unit residence hall to be completed by the fall semester of 2004.

To help stave off the need for additional housing for incoming freshmen, Residence Life has made adjustments to the current system. Arizona-Sonora Residence Hall, a dorm designated for honors students, will be placing three students in each room instead of two, and reducing the amount of rent to be paid by $950.

The amount that students will pay for on-campus housing this year ranges from $2,051 to $5,486 per year, according to the 2002-2003 residence hall rate agreement set by the Arizona Board of Regents in April.

If Residence Life is unable to house a student for the fall semester, students may apply for Spring 2003 housing after Sep. 9.

Students with any questions regarding their housing situation may contact the office of Residence Life at 621-6501 or housing@life.arizona.edu.