Large Freshmen Class Causes TTU To House Some Students In Hotels

An expected 20 percent increase in Tennessee Tech’s freshmen enrollment has caused the university to place some students in non-traditional housing.

Chief Communication Officer Karen Lykins said the university has partnered with five hotels to house about 135 students once the fall semester begins.

“That meant we had more of a demand for housing this year,” Lykins said. “I do want to make sure that you know that no first time freshmen were placed off campus. They are all here with us on campus to make sure their first experience is a good one.”

Lykins said the university is covering the cost of upperclassmen that agreed to live in a hotel. Lykins said they will receive all the perks of both the university and hotel and will also be provided transportation through UCHRA.

“The last time was 2013,” Lykins said. “That was the last time that our first time freshmen number was very large, so it has happened several times in Tech’s history. This is not unusual. It’s happening in other places across the state.”

Lykins said the university is looking at its existing residential spaces to have a plan for next school year. Lykins said the university has already reopened Crawford Hall to add some rooms.

“We want to be at a place where we are welcoming large freshmen classes,” Lykins said. “As we work throughout the year, we’ll look to maximize our spaces, and of course, we have a new innovation residence hall scheduled. It’s now in the design phase, so that will come online in the next couple of years.”

Lykins said students in hotels will hopefully not be there for the entire semester. Lykins said usually during the semester, several rooms open due to new roommates or moving off-campus.