Officials launch campaign to fill campus dorms

Officials are doing everything imaginable to keep as many students as possible living on campus next year. These actions range from adjusting on-campus rent rates to shooting several commercials on the subject. Last week, officials announced that the average rate of rent for undergraduate housing would not increase this year. While the aggregate rent will remain the same, some rents will go up while others go down proportionately. Associate Vice Provost for University Life Larry Moneta said this is "directly tied to a long and consistent and concerted effort to make the residence halls more marketable." Earlier this week, the department released a tentative list of proposed rents. These figures are still pending approval by the University Board of Trustees. According to the Undergraduate Residence Rent Schedule, all rents for the high rises are either staying the same or decreasing slightly. But rents for most other dorms, especially those frequented by freshmen, have increased slightly. The cost of a single in the Quadrangle has gone up to $4,259 -- a $250 increase from this year's price. A double room in Ware College House rose by $220 to $4,570. The cost of a double in Hill House and Kings Court/English House have all increased to $4,000. This is a $300 increase for Hill and a $180 increase for Kings Court/English House. Besides adjusting rents, the department is also producing several short video spots to be shown on the ResNet movie channel in between movies. According to ResNet Coordinator Chris Cook, the commercial spots serve a dual purpose. "We wanted to get students on the movie channel," he said. "And this is the time of year when students are deciding where to live and this is an innovative way to tell students their options." He added that the commercials will begin airing in two to three weeks. Cook said his department filmed students and faculty members last week. They interviewed students passing by on Locust Walk, in the lobbies of several dormitories and in the dining halls. They also got a brief statement from University President Judith Rodin, Cook added. And the video team filmed several "informal chats" between students with common interests. One segment took place in the greenhouse of the Modern Language College House and featured a discussion between nine students living in College Houses. During the hour-long conversation, they talked about the advantages of living on-campus and in theme houses. Cook said the crew accumulated 10 hours of footage over the two days. "We have so much great material that I imagine that while these are airing we will be producing more [commercials]," he said. Officials were very pleased with the outcome of the project. Moneta said he saw the rough footage, adding that "our students are the most articulate and candid of any I've met." And Cook said he was very happy with the student reaction. "As a member of the Department of Residential Living it is especially gratifying to hear the positive feelings that students have for Penn's residential living options," he said. Simeone said the group of students had a lot of interesting and very positive things to say, adding that "some of it was very moving." She added that she hopes it is something students enjoy watching. "We hope students will get a bang out of seeing their friends and colleagues on camera," she said. "It was really neat hearing all of the students' perspectives," Simeone added. A full list of the rents for next year is available in the Residential Living Assignments Office located in the upper lobby of High Rise North.