Above: JP Elder and his dog Poppy outside of Rohlman Hall; their future residence. Photo courtesy Ryan Russo.

This summer will bring some notable changes to on-campus living at St. Ambrose. While a smaller number of students typically stay through the break for internships or jobs (both on and off-campus in the Quad Cities), their housing arrangements will be different this year. 

Instead of the usual apartment-style living, all summer residents will be housed in the traditional dorms, specifically Rohlman or Franklin Hall. 

St. Ambrose Residence Life reports that around 200 students stay each summer, and this year, 123 students have already signed the summer housing contract by early May, a number consistent with last year’s numbers, says Residence Life. 

Apartment Renovations Drive Housing Change

These changes were revealed in a recent episode of the student-run podcast “What’s Trending” with guests, Dean of Students Dr. Christopher Waugh and Director of Physical Plant Kaylon Spengler. They explained that the apartment-style living, referred to as “preferred housing,” will be unavailable this summer due to necessary deep cleaning and significant renovations. Preferred housing offers students with a kitchen and a living room space.

Dr. Waugh stated on the podcast, “We are taking preferred housing offline. This year we are offering a summer meal plan so we can take those residence halls offline and do some much needed work. Students over the summer will be staying in traditional housing with a meal plan.” 

These renovations, according to St. Ambrose Residence Life, will include new flooring, lighting, painting, updated appliances, and new furniture.

An email sent before Easter break revealed a surprising price similarity between last year’s apartments and this year’s dorms: both cost $19 per day. This is notable for the dorms, given the absence of a kitchen and living room, which will likely push students towards the additional $18 daily meal plan for lunch and dinner. A significant price difference exists during winter break, however, with dorm stays costing only $8 per day.

Students Express Concerns Over Dorm Living

For junior Jesse Lopez, the thought of experiencing dorm life again raises a few concerns. Lopez expressed concerns about fitting his and his roommate’s emotional support animals and their belongings into a smaller dorm room. 

“I just don’t know how we will manage to fit all of their things plus our things into one dorm. When I was transitioning from dorm life to the on-campus house I live in now, I purchased many things with the intention of never living in a dorm again. So I don’t know how I’m going to put all of my furniture and other items in a small dorm room.

“I don’t plan on paying for the meal plan because I personally don’t think the food at the school is good. I’m concerned about the food situation since there’s only so much you can make in a microwave and air fryer. It’s going to be hard to go back to a mini fridge too.”

Junior JP Elder had similar concerns, “With there being no kitchen, I feel like I’m forced to get the meal plan which the price exceeds what I would spend on groceries.”

Freshman Brady Teel, who is staying for their on-campus job and easier access to the WRC (Wellness and Recreation Center), says they don’t mind the change as much. “I’ve been living in a dorm all year and eating at the caf so it’s not going to be a drastic change for me. I was excited to live in the apartments this summer and have a kitchen but it’s alright, I’ll manage.”

Students with further questions about summer housing can contact the Residence Life office for more information.