The University of Idaho renewed its lease with the FairBridge Inn, and the North Campus Communities are continuing for its second year.
Isabella Sabado is a transfer student from Maui, Hawaii who is majoring in Food Science. She was assigned to live in the NCCs and her main concern when she was living there was safety.
“It can be unnerving and scary to acknowledge that there are strangers not too far away from your room,” Sabado said.
Sabado also stated that people who live next to the NCCs have access to the laundry room.
There were also issues with the door locks, and she could not get into her room.
“Sometimes we would have to wait for the RA to come, and it would be a whole situation.”
Due to the NCCs being off campus, Sabado would spend most of her day on campus for classes and would head back to the NCCs at night and would have safety concerns walking home alone.
“I wish there were security cars or police cars circling the NCC area,” Sabado said.
Sabado enjoyed the proximity of stores, the complimentary breakfast, and the helpfulness of the RAs during her time at the NCCs.
The NCCs are housing transfer, international, and overflow students. Due to a continued increase in enrollment provided in the Spring 2024 Press Release by the University of Idaho, the NCCs renewed their lease with the FairBridge Inn for another year. Enrollment for all students has increased by 5.8%, and the total numbers for Fall 2024 have yet to be released. Dean Kahler, the Vice Provost of Strategic Enrollment Management, shared that the first-year class is on an upward trend of enrollment.
“Each year, we carefully assess our overall residential space needs to ensure we are meeting the demands of our growing student population,” John Kosh, the Director of Business Development, Marketing and Communications at UI, wrote. “As long as enrollment numbers necessitate additional housing, the NCC remains a viable and flexible option for accommodating our students.”
UI introduced Tan parking permits for NCC students with a car this term.
“The introduction of tan parking permits for NCC residents was a strategic decision aimed at improving accessibility and convenience for our students,” Kosh wrote.
The Tan parking permits allow parking at the NCCs and Blue lots around campus.
“It’s a step toward enhancing the overall living and learning experience for our students,” Kosh wrote.
Sabado would have issues getting to campus on time for classes due to traffic, construction, and weather conditions.
“I would recommend people have a car,” Sabado said for living at the NCCs.
“I would like to highlight that the North Campus Communities continue to offer an affordable and practical living option for our students,” Kosh wrote. “It provides a unique opportunity for them to experience a more independent living environment while avoiding the higher costs associated with off-campus apartments.”
No answer has been given to whether the NCCs will become a permanent solution for housing students after this term.