ISU students living the ‘suite’ life

Due to an immense overflow of incoming students on campus this fall, Residential Life was forced to find alternative housing for some upperclassmen. That alternative housing ended up being at Candlewood Suites Extended Stay Hotel.

"When we were looking at our numbers for the fall semester, we realized that we may have to look into some alternative housing options," said Jessica Robinson, assistant director of student development. "Because of that, we wanted to make sure we looked into something that was feasible for our students to live in."

Robinson said the Suites were an opportunity that was brought to Residential Life. They decided to look into it and it ended up being the best solution.

"It's long-term housing, not just a hotel and it's within walking distance [of campus]," said Stephanie Pearcy, assistant director of staff development. "The amenities were really nice and its kind of new so we knew it would be comparable to what we were offering."

Pearcy said there were other hotels they had looked at but none of them offered the same deal and were still within walking distance.

"We had a few other hotels that talked to us but they were so far away that we would have had to bus students around," Pearcy said. "Candlewood is just right there."

In Candlewood Suites there are two students per room at 62 rooms, which equals up to about 30 rooms.

The rooms are equipped with a full-size refrigerator, LG flat-screen television, two beds, study tables, and large dressers, among other things.

Residential Life and Candlewood Suites met on numerous occasions and Candlewood brought their per-night rate down significantly to allow students to stay for the semester. The price to live in Candlewood is the same as if students were living in Jones or Hines.

"It is just for the Fall 2010 semester," Robinson said. "Those students who live in Hines and Jones for the fall term will be moved back into Hines, Jones or Lincoln [for the spring] so they can have comparable to what they signed up for."

Some students in Candlewood were not in either of those buildings but they will be given a room on campus.

Robinson also said the students in Candlewood have been very receptive to staying at Candlewood.

"The overall reaction from students has been really good," she said. "The students love the rooms, it's a nice set-up, there are some nice amenities and the staff has been great and really friendly."