Popularity spurs Baker conversion

“[The change is] due to the number of students on campus and the desire to allow more students to live in Baker,” Residence Life Director Kris Franzen said.

The decision to convert the houses was supported by a survey given last October to the current junior class as to what housing options they would prefer for their senior year.

“Nearly 70 percent of the class responded, and Baker was the most popular option for those looking at senior housing for next fall,” Franzen said.

With over 200 students applying to live in Baker and only 96 spots currently open, this conversion will not only open more spots for students to live but also make more rooming space on campus.

“We do not want to have students living in lounges, and these options will offer more options and opportunities for student housing,” Franzen said.

Though the capacity in the Baker houses may be increasing, the cost to live there will not. In fact, it will actually decrease from the current cost of $3,880 for a single room in Baker.

Franzen expects the number of students applying to live in Baker to remain about the same as in recent years and the conversions to simply give more students the chance to live in Baker.

Current Baker hopefuls Keagan Meyer (‘11) and Luke Hollander (‘11) were not upset with the conversions.

“I personally like having a roommate,” Meyer said. “Also, I think anyone would greatly appreciate the decrease in cost by sharing a room.”

Hollander agrees.

“I can see how some students may see it as not being ideal to have to share a room when living somewhat independently, but I think people can deal with it,” Hollander said.

In the long run, converting Baker Village housing units from four-person to six-person units may prove to be an advantage to future seniors. Baker Village will be more financially feasible as an independent living experience and more attainable as a preferred housing choice.