Talking Stick - March/April 2009 - (Page 24) business Hotel Reservations by Sean Pierce Communication is key when campuses utilize hotels for temporary housing solutions. Barry UniversiTy Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida, has the capacity to house 703 students in seven residence halls on campus. Last year the U.S. News & World Report ran an article titled “Universities Scramble to Find Student Housing.” Now, most housing assignments directors probably would say it wasn’t a scramble, but more of an orchestrated adventure outside the security bubble of campus. What the media may not see is the months of planning and weeks of preparation many institutions devote to using hotels as temporary student housing. As enrollment numbers continue to rise, so does the demand for on-campus housing. Although many schools utilize waiting lists and others restrict the number of upperclass students allowed to live on campus, many have begun to look into hotels as a solution to meet their needs. Issues of accessibility, cost, and services play into this decision. Jenna Rostek, purchasing and facilities support manager at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, says that proximity and accessibility to campus via public transportation is one of the most important factors for her institution to consider. Additionally, the number of rooms available, coupled with the cost to the institution, helps to determine which hotel to choose, as it is best to keep students housed at one site when possible. The cost of housing should reflect any additional expenses related to those needing to check in early, such as staff, student athletes, and orientation leaders. It is also important to find a hotel able to conform to the institution’s specifications and to provide necessary services to students. “As a state school, UMass is required to put these types of contracts out to bid. Since our assignments office can’t always predict the need for hotels until July, we’re usually operating without a lot of lead time. Our procurement department has been great about issuing [Request for Bid proposals] with short turn times to keep us on target,” says Rostek. Consideration of amenities is also an important part of the negotiation process. According to Laurie Ann Tomsho, director of residence life at King’s College in Charlotte, North Carolina, amenities such as free 2 Talking STick
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