University reserves halls for incoming freshmen

Come fall 2024, Bergsaker Hall, Stavig Hall and the first floor of Wagoner Hall will be reserved for incoming freshmen, resulting in mixed opinions from current first-year students. 

Whitney Jibben, assistant dean of students of community standards and responsibilities, said Residence Life and Student Affairs made the decision regarding freshman dorms for the 2024-2025 academic year by looking at projected admission of incoming freshmen, which may be elevated from previous years, and evaluating what they heard from current first-year students. 

“The main goal was to create an equitable experience for all students,” Jibben said. 

Anticipated enrollment numbers for incoming freshmen is about 600 students, up from the 454 in the fall 2023 cohort. 

Jibben said feedback from current freshmen included hopes for a variety of options and price points.

Next year’s sophomores will have options to live in Solberg, the second and third floors of Wagoner and Granskou Hall on the northern end of campus. Jibben said this arrangement will give students options at every price level, as well as access to both the upgraded dorms and the non-renovated dorms. 

Freshman Camryn Bonestroo, a sign language interpreting major who currently lives in Bergsaker, said while she does not have an issue with Bergsaker being an all-freshman dorm next year, she was a little disappointed to hear the news.  

“I’m also kind of disappointed because I really wanted to live in Berg next year because I really like Berg, and it’s a nice dorm and everything,” Bonestroo said. 

Now, Bonestroo said she and her roommate are hoping to live in Solberg next year instead, as it will still provide a quick walk to their classes in the Madsen Center. 

“I just don’t see why it can’t stay a mix of [grades],” Bonestroo said. “In my opinion, that can also be a way for you to make more friends.” 

In the 2021-2022 academic year, Solberg was the all-freshman dorm, as Bergsaker was offline for renovations. Before renovations, Solberg and Bergsaker had typically been the all-freshman dorms. Last academic year, Solberg was closed for renovations. As a result, students could live wherever there was space. 

Over the past several years, Solberg and Bergsaker have undergone revamping to upgrade the dorms for current and future students. Bergsaker and Solberg dorm rooms were redesigned, as well as the bathrooms. The lobbies, kitchen and laundry areas were also refurbished. In addition, the halls both added an elevator. 

Currently, Bergsaker, Wagoner and Solberg are filled with a mix of grade levels because of upgrades and refurbishment. 

In the past, reserved living spaces on campus for incoming freshmen has been the norm; however, some freshmen say next year’s residence hall arrangements come as a surprise, as Stavig has been the only all-freshman dorm for the past few years. 

Freshman Jordan Munson, a nursing major, said she thinks the decision is unfair to current freshmen.

“It doesn't make sense that the freshmen get the new and renovated dorms,” Munson said. 

Munson said she loves the “homey” feel of Bergsaker.

“The set up, carpet, and clean bathrooms make all the difference,” Munson said. 

In April, Munson will pick her living arrangements for next year. She will have to move out of the dorms come May 19.

“Every freshman should have to struggle through the challenges of Stavig and Gran. It’s kind of a right of passage,” freshman Payton Hardy, a biology major, said. 

Stavig and Granskou, also known as “the towers,” were built in 1969 and have been options for freshmen over the past several years. Having been exposed to the newness of Solberg, Bergsaker and Wagoner, Munson and Hardy said they see the towers as a downgrade.  

Freshman Trey Tumbleson, a religion and philosophy double major, said he and his roommate were “a little bummed” to find out they could not live in Bergsaker again next year. However, Tumbleson said they now hope to live in Wagoner. 

“But if we do have bigger numbers coming in next year, [the reserved freshman dorms] would make a lot of sense because Wagoner, I think, especially with it being new, they are going to prioritize it to older classmen, upperclassmen, as well as Solberg I believe,” Tumbleson said. “So, I guess Berg would be the next in chain for an all-freshman dorm.” 

Currently, Solberg and Bergsaker will both cost $4,790 for a double room next academic year. The price for Wagoner increases to $5,210, and Stavig, Granskou and East Hall will cost $4,296. 

“Bergsaker, the first floor of Wagoner and Stavig were kind of pinpointed as the spaces where we could fit first-year students and would allow them the opportunity to live in cheaper housing if they wanted it or needed it, as well as some of the more expensive housing options,” Jibben said. 

For now, Jibben said it makes the most sense to place freshmen in the reserved dorms, two of which are on the south side of campus. The Elmen Center, Midco Arena and Kirkeby-Over Stadium are located off 33rd Street and are amenities that the university wants first-year students to interact with, as they hold opportunities for students to get involved and feel a part of campus.

“It puts some of our first-year students really close to a lot of cool amenities that Augustana has on the south side,” Jibben said.