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New Dorm Eases Growing Pains

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By ADAM EMERSON, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 2, 2007

TAMPA - The rapid growth at the University of Tampa has slowed.

Although the university's enrollment this fall increased 4 percent to 5,601 - nearly double what it was a decade ago - the number of freshman fell for the first time in years.

And that's just what administrators wanted.

The school managed to relieve its growing pains in August by opening a new seven-story residence hall able to house 488 students and featuring swanky amenities, such as an unlimited salsa bar. With more beds, administrators had no need to house students in nearby hotels, as they had done for nearly a dozen years.

There are few vacancies in any campus dormitory, though, and the university plans no new residence halls for the future.

Demand for the university is increasing, however.

The university received 7,820 freshman applications for this fall, about 8 percent more than the previous year. But admissions officers grew more selective; they admitted 49 percent of the applicants, compared with 51 percent the year before.

'We need to catch up a little bit,' said Barbara Strickler, UT's vice president for enrollment.

UT officials say they expect to enroll more students in the coming years. Students are the primary source of revenue for the private university. Tuition, fees and room and board run about $28,000 a year.

But the $45 million Stadium Center residence hall off North Boulevard is the last planned for a while.
Strickler said the university hoped it could partner with potential housing developments nearby, but the dismal real estate market makes that less likely.

Most UT students live on campus, and the university doesn't want a commuter reputation. If enrollment grows, the school may have to send some students back to neighboring hotels, Strickler said.

Last fall, the university placed about 200 students in the Hyatt Regency Tampa. The students paid regular dorm rates, but got housekeeping services twice a week and free cable television.

At the time, UT had opened an 11-story residence hall on West Kennedy Boulevard. But it wasn't enough to stop the overflow.

Growth at UT most likely will be steady, Strickler said. That's important not only because of limited living arrangements, but because the university also wants to keep the faculty-to-student ratio low.

While enrollment has increased 15 percent in three years, UT has managed to keep its class sizes smaller. In 2004, the ratio of faculty members to students was 17-to-1. Today it's 15-to-1.

Students interviewed last week say smaller classrooms and newer residence halls were the primary reason they chose to come to UT.

'The living conditions are so much bigger here,' said Ryne Garlock, 19, a UT sophomore who equated residence halls at other private universities in Florida to 'a shoebox.'

UT's newest dorm has polished hallways lined with artwork, and several eateries, including a Dairy Queen, a southwestern grill and an unlimited salsa bar, are located on the first floor.

'It's got the comforts of home,' said Steve Hazel, 18, a pre-law freshman from Boston.

Reporter Adam Emerson can be reached at (813) 259-8285 or aemerson@tampatrib.com.

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