Billings, Kim

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University of New HampshireUniversity of New Hampshire Scholars' RepositoryMedia Relations Administrative Offices8-19-2002UNH Is Fast Becoming a Popular Choice forStudentsKim BillingsFollow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/newsThis News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Administrative Offices at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. It hasbeen accepted for inclusion in Media Relations by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. For moreinformation, please contact nicole.hentz@unh.edu.Recommended CitationBillings, Kim, "UNH Is Fast Becoming a Popular Choice for Students" (2002). UNH Today. 2274.https://scholars.unh.edu/news/227410/30/17, 12)12 PMUNH Is Fast Becoming a Popular Choice for StudentsPage 1 of 3http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/news_releases/2002/august/kb_20020819choose_unh.htmlUniversityof NewHampshireHomePage UNH Is Fast Becoming a PopularChoice for StudentsBy Kim BillingsUNH News BureauAugust 19, 2002DURHAM, N.H. ‚ Given the current number ofstudents who have indicated they're coming to theUniversity of New Hampshire this fall, UNH isgrowing in popularity. The entering class at theuniversity is expected to be about 2,700 new students,exceeding projections by about 100, according to UNHofficials."While the number of New Hampshire residents whowill be enrolling at UNH appears to be consistent withour projections -- and near the high water mark for thepast decade -- we have been genuinely surprised by thesharp increase in the number of students from outsideof the state who plan to enroll," says Mark Rubinstein,vice provost for academic achievement and enrollmentservices.The factors which might account for this surge,Rubinstein says, are "the solid reputation the universityenjoys in the region among guidance counselors andfamilies as a place where a student can receive a strongcomprehensive undergraduate education. Studentsknow that they can participate in research opportunitieswith extraordinary faculty whose work can take them tothe bottom of the ocean or the far reaches of space."Also, we offer a beautiful campus and one that seemsto be built on a human scale that contributes to a senseof community and a sense that the resources and thepossibilities of the university really are accessible toeach student."UNH ranked high nationallyThe quality of a UNH education is reflected in some ofthe national rankings as well. It has ranked consistently10/30/17, 12)12 PMUNH Is Fast Becoming a Popular Choice for StudentsPage 2 of 3http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/news_releases/2002/august/kb_20020819choose_unh.html in the top 50 public universities in the nation for thepast several years and as one of the top 20 schools forDivision I athletic programs, of which there are 321 inthe country, according to U.S. News and World Report.The university's 80 percent graduation rate wasspecifically noted in the latter example.Faculty at UNH are among the nation's best in scientificresearch, according to the Institute for ScientificInformation, a group that ranks high-impact universitiesin the United States.More classes and rooms neededWhile all agree this is good news for the university,administrators also point out there will be a need formore housing and more classes. In anticipation of thehigher than expected enrollments that became apparentin early May, Rubinstein says that more sections ofacademic courses were added for the fall semester (andwill be added for the spring) to ensure that studentscould enroll in the appropriate courses. "The academicdepartments of the university were very responsive tothis situation and took seriously our obligation to meetthe academic needs of our students," says Rubinstein.Housing officials are also responding to the challengecreated by the larger than expected class whichexacerbates an existing housing shortage at theuniversity. Recognizing that the demand for on-campushousing was greater than could be accommodated withexisting room layouts, UNH made the decision in 1999to convert 250 of the largest double rooms to housethree students. To meet this year's additional andunexpected increase in housing demand, the universitywill convert approximately 70 lounges into additionalresidence hall rooms. Each converted lounge willaccommodate from three to six students.No one promised housing will be deniedAccording to Anthony Zizos, assistant vice presidentfor business affairs, all UNH students who werepromised housing for the fall will be accommodated."We're in for a crunch for a while," he says, "but no onewho has been promised housing will be denied."He adds all students who enter the university as first-10/30/17, 12)12 PMUNH Is Fast Becoming a Popular Choice for StudentsPage 3 of 3http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/news_releases/2002/august/kb_20020819choose_unh.htmlsemester freshmen with a housing commitment fromUNH are guaranteed housing for both the freshman andsophomore years.New residence hall due to open mid-November;350+ new beds in 2003As part of the long-term solution to the challenge ofproviding adequate on-campus housing, UNH iscurrently constructing a new residence hall and a newdining hall. While the new residence hall opens in mid-November, 2002, another residence hall (Congreve) isgoing offline for the remainder of the academic year forextensive renovations.Some additional relief will be provided at semesterbreak in December -- a time when students leave oninternships and national and international exchangeprograms. In September of 2003 there will be more than350 new beds for students.There is an acute housing shortage not just in theSeacoast area but all around the state, Zizos notes."Rent rates are rising and the vacancy rate has been at 1percent statewide," he explains.Rubinstein adds that UNH is in a position similar toother schools in the region, including Plymouth andKeene State colleges, where the overall housingshortage in communities is affecting on-campushousing."There always will be a high demand for universityhousing because residence hall living is the best deal intown," says Zizos, who notes that all utilities and voice,video, and data communications are bundled into therent rate.Back to UNH News Bureau

UNH Is Fast Becoming a Popular Choice for Students

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UNH Is Fast Becoming a Popular Choice for Students

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