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Apartment complexes on track to house students next fall

Res Life director says apartments proving a popular choice for older residents

Plans to add two apartment complexes to UA's housing offerings are moving ahead as scheduled with no obstacles, director of Residence Life James Van Arsdel said last week.

In addition to renewing its 10-year lease on Corleone Apartments, 1330 N. Park Ave., Residence Life landed temporary leases for the 269-unit Palm Shadows Apartments, 1815 E. Helen St., and the 242-bed Sky View Apartments, 1050 E. Eight St.

The complexes will begin housing University of Arizona students next fall.

Van Arsdel said the response from current dorm residents has been "very, very strong."

"We have very few spaces left in Corleone for any new students. And then in Sky View and Palm Shadows, it seems to me we have 100 returners in each of these," he said.

The high interest in apartment living has successfully achieved Residence Life's objective of freeing up much needed dorm space for incoming freshmen, which Van Arsdel said "very pleasantly surprised" him.

He added that the students who chose the apartments are following a "natural migratory path," moving from the residence halls to apartments for greater privacy, space and independence.

"We've hit on something that's important to students," Van Arsdel said.

Van Arsdel said he has not heard any negative responses to the apartments, and Palm Shadows and Sky View should not require any renovations before students move in August.

Corleone was scheduled for routine maintenance this summer.

"So far everything has come together extremely well," he said.

Pam Obando, associate director of Residence Life, said the marketing scheme - geared toward older students - proved successful.

Current UA students could apply for an apartment space on the Residence Life Web site, and freshmen were sent mailers and fliers in their admission packets.

"The theme was to take the next step to greater independence, more privacy and still have a shoulder to lean on," said Obando, who added that a sense of community would be stressed in the complexes. "We're very pleased with the response, which is what we were hoping for."

Obando added there was a "terrific" response from current resident assistants interested in becoming community assistants - the RA equivalent in the apartment halls.

Electrical engineering sophomore Paul Kountz, who lives in Kaibab-Huachuca Resident Hall, said he was still thinking over his options for next year but would be willing to consider living in Palm Shadows or Sky View.

Kountz agreed that the apartments will promote community and allow for greater privacy, which he said is an especially important aspect for students.

"When I was first coming here as a freshman, I was looking into Babcock because it has its own bathroom, and Coronado," he said.