It is not even halfway into the spring semester and students are already making decisions that will affect their futures and their experiences in college — where to live in the fall.
All students, aside from graduating seniors and students leaving the University for various other reasons, have either made or will make living arrangements for the fall in the coming weeks.
Housing has instituted the the Housing Application Renewal Process, often known as HARP, to mainstream the online sign-up process with different deadlines depending on where students want to live in the fall, according to the University Housing Web site.
Daniel Farrell, a freshman in biomedical engineering who lives in the Quad, said he has already signed up for his fall Housing arrangements — “same room, same roommate.”
This is Option one of HARP, which means applications were open from Feb. 11 to 13.
“It’s pretty straightforward,” he said.
But although Jonathan Stephens, freshman in graphic design and Spanish living in Sullivan Residence Hall, said he found the HARP process fairly simple, he said he ran into a glitch submitting his application.
“It’s relatively easy [to apply],” Stephens said. “I just found out today that time was running out for applying. The application didn’t recognize me as a student [when he applied today].”
Those who miss their deadlines or are unable to sign up for whatever reason should go to the Housing Office.
“Students who missed HARP must stop in the University Housing Office at 1112 Pullen Hall beginning March 3 to sign up for on-campus housing,” the Housing Web site said.
Despite the troubleshooting, Stephens said he will probably live on East campus in the fall — “probably Syme or one of the Honors dorms,” a move under Option six of HARP that will open from Feb. 24 to Feb. 27.
He said he has enjoyed his stay in Sullivan, but wants to be nearer his studio.
“My design studio is across campus, but I like Sullivan being near everything,” Stephens said. “I want to live closer to the studio because it’s a far walk [from Sullivan].”
Farrell, however, said he stays in the Quad for numerous reasons, including cool programs, great people and a variety of things to do.
“I really like where I’m staying in the Honors Village,” he said. “The Quad is one of the main reasons I’m on campus.”
According to Farrell, he will stay on campus next year and probably his junior year too.
“I might stay my junior my year, but not my senior,” he said. “I don’t really know yet.”
Stephens said he will likely live in Housing for the duration of his college career at N.C. State.
“I think I’ll probably stay junior and senior year because I think it will be cheaper with the cost of gas prices going up,” he said. “And the closeness to studio is very important.”
