SC State working through housing concerns as Fall semester begins

ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO)– University officials say they are working on the housing limitations that is affecting both new students and upperclassmen as they move into their new rooms for the Fall 2024 semester.

Officials say SC State capped the size of the freshmen class given the limited availability of beds in residence halls on campus and off-campus space leased by the SC State Housing Foundation due to the amount of applications for admission.

Even with the cap, the school says a large amount of returning students have been placed on a waitlist.

SC State asks upperclassmen and parents who have not yet been notified of room assignments to exercise patience.

As the university anticipates housing to become available to accommodate upperclassmen before they report to campus later this week.

The university also wants to remind students to make sure their financial obligations are cleared to ensure housing placement.

According to the school, last week’s storms connected to Tropical Storm Debby also affected several readiness processes, including maintenance concerns in more than 30 residence hall rooms.

President Alexander Conyers says SC State will place students affected by the storms in temporary accommodations until space in university-affiliated housing becomes available. 

Also, Conyers states the university has employed three additional companies to assist with readiness in residence halls and other campus facilities this week.

He also noted that SC State has contracted with a new maintenance vendor that will provide a higher level of service on an ongoing basis.

Until more housing is available, the university says it is strategically managing its enrollment, but SC State also is working on several fronts to reduce the housing crunch.

The initiatives include Sojourner Truth Hall’s $15 million overhaul, which will provide 384 additional beds, and rehabilitating the long-vacant Queens Village apartment complex, which will provide room for 40 students.

The university also is in the final approval phase for the construction of a 500-bed residential complex on campus.