Residence Life accommodates large freshman class with record number of tripled rooms

The Class of 2014 is one of the largest freshman classes to live on campus in the history of the University, which has resulted in a significant increase in the number of students who occupy tripled rooms. 

Of the 1,620 freshmen who reside in on-campus housing, about 700 currently live in 236 tripled rooms, according to Marie Schauder, assistant director for housing services.

However, the freshman tripling situation is not due to any significant changes or actions taken by the Office of Admissions during the admissions process last year, according to George Walter, associate dean of admissions and financial assistance. 

Of the 6,498 students offered admission last spring, 1,652 enrolled, according to Walter. This number represents an approximate 1 percent increase in the anticipated yield of students who would accept admission, or an additional 22 students over the target size for an entering freshman class of 1,630 students. 

What makes the Class of 2014 distinct from previous freshman classes is not size alone, but the growing number of resident students over commuter students, according to Walter and Schauder.  

Over the past four years, the Office of Admissions has experienced a decrease in both the number and quality of commuter students who apply for admission. This has resulted in the University admitting more resident students to make up for the four-year decline in the number of commuter students. About 20 fewer commuter students are enrolled this year, as compared to 2006. The Class of 2014 has just 32 commuter students.

Walter explains that "summer melt" also helps determine the final number of freshman students who enroll and must later be housed in the fall.  

Summer melt refers to the phenomena of accepted students who pay their admissions deposit, but later change their minds about enrolling at a particular college or university, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education.

The Office of Admissions witnessed a smaller summer melt than usual this year, with only 114 applicants choosing not to attend the University over the predicted 146 students. 

During the summers of 2009 and 2008, approximately 130 to 135 students decided not to attend Villanova that fall. Walter cites the changing economy and available financial aid as two factors that affect the admissions process from year to year, for applicants and college admissions offices.

"For fall 2009, we were more aggressive in offering financial aid to students, given the economic climate and exceeded the amount budgeted" Walter said. "This fall, we needed to be more conservative with financial aid offers, but we continue to monitor the economy and act accordingly."

The increase in the number of resident students, along with a less substantial summer melt, has affected the University's ability to house students in rooms containing only two roommates. Schauder reports that the following freshman residence halls contain triples: Good Counsel, Katharine, St. Monica's, Caughlin, and McGuire Halls on South Campus, and Delurey, O'Dwyer and Moriarty Halls on Main Campus.