VT residence halls overbooked by historically large freshman class

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BLACKSBURG (WSLS 10) - Virginia Tech is preparing for one it's biggest incoming freshman classes this Fall. Around 6,000 students have committed to attending, which is much more than administration expected or have room to house.

While recruiting students to come to Virginia Tech isn't an issue, finding a place to house them is. The delayed completion of construction of the university's newest residence hall is leaving hundreds without a bed this fall semester.

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Frank Shushock, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs at Virginia Tech, says it's a predicament that really isn't that bad.

"It's a great problem to have," Shushock said.

The 6,000+ incoming freshman class was already more than the university expected to commit attending.

They learned that the completion of their newest residence hall was running a month behind schedule and won't open until weeks after the fall semester will begin.

"That created a new scenario for us where we have to absorb those 547 students for a temporary amount of time until that building gets open," Shushock said.

Incoming freshman and their families say they aren't too concerned. One of the 6,000 in his class, Banks Vickhouse says he's confident the university will find a solution.

"I'm just excited to come here. I'll do anything," Vickhouse said.

Journalism major and incoming freshman Trey Lyle of Virginia agrees.

"I think they've probably had this problem before, so I think they'll figure it out. I mean the school is over 100 years old so I think they'll be fine," Lyle said.

In the meantime, Virginia Tech is offering 200 upper classman a $2,000 credit to move off campus, making room for freshman.

"We are assigning triples in places that are typically doubles. our r-a's, our resident advisers will have roommates and we are converting a good number of our lounges to temporary bedrooms," Shushok said.

While it may be tight quarters for the first few weeks, it will only be temporary.

"I think we'll make it through it and the good news is we are going to have a full class of very excited students," Shushok said.

Construction on the new residence hall is expected to be finished by the beginning of September.


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