The College of Charleston in South Carolina is planning to spend millions of dollars to lease hotel rooms for some upperclassmen students due to an ongoing shortage of on-campus housing.
Housing Shortage at College of Charleston
The college is facing housing pressure with an incoming freshman class of about 2,650 students and a total enrollment of around 11,729. Currently, only about 34% of students live on campus.
Because of limited space, around 125 upperclassmen are at risk of losing their assigned housing and may be moved to nearby hotels.
Students to Be Placed in Hotels
Affected students may be housed in four hotels near campus, including Hilton Garden Inn Charleston Waterfront/Downtown, Courtyard by Marriott Charleston Waterfront, Residence Inn by Marriott, and SpringHill Suites by Marriott.
Students originally assigned to Rutledge Rivers Residence Hall or 20 Warren Place Apartments were among those notified about the change.
Cost and Planning Concerns
The college estimates the hotel arrangement could cost around $5.2 million in total, though final agreements are still being confirmed. Based on current estimates, the cost is around $19,000 per bed for approximately 125 students, and state approval has been requested.
Officials say students choosing hotel housing will pay the same rate as traditional dorm housing.
Student and Parent Reactions
The decision has caused frustration among students and parents, who have raised concerns about poor planning and inconvenience.
Many students say living in hotels will make daily travel to classes, jobs, and campus facilities more difficult, especially for those without cars. Parents have also questioned the impact on student life and academic routines.
College Response and Future Plans
College officials say the hotel housing model has been used before during periods of high demand and has worked successfully in the past. They also stated that students previously reported positive experiences with similar arrangements.
State officials and college representatives say they will continue working on long-term solutions to address student housing needs while balancing campus growth and community concerns.
