A bed, a suitcase and 11 roommates

While many incoming freshmen expect to live in cramped quarters, more than 100 students in Lander and McCarty Halls are inhabiting spaces that may make those in triple rooms thankful -- namely, the hall's lounges.

Due to the large number of students requesting a place in the UW's seven traditional residence halls, many who had late applications are being housed in residence hall common areas, waiting to be placed in regular rooms. Students in Lander and McCarty Hall are living up to 12 to a lounge.

"The number of applicants are the same [as previous years]," said JoAnna Olson, the Students Services Manager for Housing and Food Services (HFS). "But the number of cancellations are slightly lower, so the overall number (of those having to live in common rooms) is higher."

Both Olson and HFS director Paul Brown, insist the crowded housing is temporary.

"There are always no-shows (students who have rooms reserved but do not show up)," Brown said. "We begin moving students out (of the lounges) during the first few weeks of school."

Brown estimated that HFS will be able to transfer nearly all students to permanent housing by the end of October.

Although students are paying the same price to live in lounges as they would to live in a triple room, many of those affected say it's not as bad as it sounds.

"The positive aspect is that you meet a lot of people really fast," said Colleen Kenny, a freshman who lives with 11 others in a residence hall lounge. The lounge, which usually holds a couple of couches, a study table and a TV, is now packed with beds, desks and suitcases.

Devon Cresse, a freshman who resides in Lander's fourth floor lounge, agreed. "There is a lot of room," she said. "I probably have more room now than a lot of people living in triples."

Due to the unconventional living situation, students are forced to be creative with their setups. Cresse said she put up a curtain around her bed, although not necessarily for privacy.

"It was too bright for me," she explained.

Like those living in rooms, each student in the lounges has a bed and a desk and a corner of the space.

"I wish we had closets too," said Kenny, who has been living out of a suitcase.

Both girls said decorating has been kept to a minimum because they don't know how long they will have to live in a lounge.

"It's temporary, so we can't feel completely settled in," Kenny said.