Every freshman entering the UA next year can expect a spot in a residence hall, for the first time in more than 10 years.

Because two new residence halls will open and old halls will be renovated, 856 new spaces will be available in the fall.

Residence Life officials said all incoming freshman applicants and nonfreshmen wishing to remain on campus will receive spots on campus even if they are just now turning in applications.

Jim Van Arsdel, director of Residence Life, said space is available and applications will be accepted indefinitely.

"We will accept applications until we're full. But at this time, that is clearly not eminent," he said.

Housing shortages and surpluses have fluctuated for the last 10 years, and until this year, Residence Life has had to turn away students because of a lack of space.

"I think it's great for them to guarantee; it is a huge improvement of the dubious nature of housing assignments in the past," said Ryan Christopher Ramsey, an entrepreneurship sophomore.

Van Arsdel also said Residence Life has lifted the housing cap for returning residents this year.

"We hope we are done with that limitation," he said.

Students living on campus tend to do better in school because the residence halls encourage academic advancement. The rooms and study lounges all have Internet connections, and study lounges are located away from noisy kitchens and laundry rooms, Van Arsdel said.

The housing cap was imposed three years ago after more than 200 students were forced to live in study lounges, computer labs and hotel rooms because of a housing shortage.

Jessica Gendics, an undeclared freshman, said the guarantee is great.

"I don't think it's fair when some get turned away. Every freshman should be guaranteed a spot," she said.

Residence Life will also remove Kaibab-Huachuca Residence Hall's honors status. Posada San Pedro Residence Hall, which will open next fall, will become an honors hall.

"Some are sad to see honors status of Kaibab go away, but students in Yuma have already expressed interest in transferring to the new hall," Van Arsdel said.

Yuma Residence Hall and Yavapai Residence Hall will remain honors halls.

Residence Life also plans to turn Cochise Residence Hall into a hall for undeclared students.

Cochise, which will be coed next year, has named itself Cochise Residential College for the Undecided. The hall works with Career Services, the University School and the University Learning Center to encourage self-exploration and major selection.

There will also be a wing in La Paz Residence Hall available for Eller School of Management students. The Eller School of Management is working in conjunction with Residence Life to get a wing for all the Eller honors students.

"It will provide some of their top students with an opportunity to interact on a more complete basis than just in their classwork," Van Arsdel said.