APSU is lacking the necessary resources to support the entire student body. This year, the freshman intake was the largest yet with APSU welcoming nearly 2,000 freshmen to campus. This has led to several problems with the campuses ability to provide for the students.
“I think it is great that so many people are here to further their education. I just think that the school should work on accommodating all of them more,” said senior K-6 education major Alexis Caudill.
One problem has been a shortage of housing to accommodate students that want to live on campus. APSU has had to make deals with two hotels in Clarksville in order to make up for the lack of on-campus housing and provide upperclassmen a $200 incentive to move off campus.
This arrangement includes a shuttle service to and from the hotels, a queen-sized bed for each student, and complimentary breakfast every morning. Students residing in hotels are, however, required to travel to campus in order to do their laundry. The temporary housing cost is $3,400 per semester. It is expected to decrease after students are moved into on-campus housing.
The temporary housing arrangement between APSU, Country Inn and Suites and The Riverview Inn could last the entire academic year.
Another problem that students and staff have noticed is the increased foot traffic around campus, particularly around the Morgan University Center and the Ann Ross Bookstore.
Many people are feeling the effects of campus crowding, particularly the freshman population.
“It gets on my nerves because it makes it harder to get past people to get where you need to be. It is a struggle,” said freshman psychology major Helena Bottega.
APSU has come up with one way to combat this issue. They have partnered with Barnes and Noble in order to operate the campus book store. With this partnership comes a new 13,000 square foot retail bookstore that will be located at the corner of College and Fourth Sreet.
By moving the bookstore from the middle of campus, APSU hopes to decrease the amount of foot traffic around that area.
Parking is always a hassle at the start of the academic year. APSU has combated this issue by purchasing several Jenkins and Wynne properties near campus to provide overflow parking that is open to any color parking permit.
APSU is currently working on finding more ways to better accommodate its ever-increasing student population.
For more information regarding solutions visit www.apsu.edu.
