Eighty-seven first year male students are living in close quarters this year.
There are 29 rooms in Alderman Road Residence Halls that are housing three men each. The rooms previously were equipped to accommodate only two residents.
While the number of triple rooms this year did not increase from last year, the Housing Division was better prepared to accommodate the rooms. They purchased new furniture for each room since they had the time and preparation to anticipate the 29 triples, Director of Accommodations John Evans said.
The new furniture includes a lofted bed with a dresser and desk underneath.
Evans explained despite the addition of the furniture, there is still the same amount of open floor space.
"If the original two beds are bunked, then even with the third set of furniture, the footprint of the layout is the same," Evans said.
Although the Housing Division attempted to spread out the triples between men and women, there were more housing cancellations from women this year and there was no need for them, Evans said.
The housing department delayed sending out housing assignments this year in order to identify as many cancellations as possible and eliminate the need for unnecessary triple room assignments.
All of the triples are in the number one room of each suite -- 111, 121 and so on -- because the dimensions are slightly larger than the other rooms, Evans added.
"So far we have about 15 no-shows, so that should create openings pretty soon," Evans said.
Two of the 29 triples requested to be triples on their housing applications before entering the University.
First-year Dobie resident Nattawut Anuniwat said he and his two roommates came to the University from Thailand and knew they wanted to live together before coming.
First year Dobie Resident Ben Fox said although the initial move-in went smoothly despite the lack of space, he expects things will become more difficult as their schedules become busier.
Fox requested housing on Alderman Road and received the news that he would be placed in a triple this summer.
"I was very surprised," Fox said. "I wasn't expecting it."
Evans said rooms will be de-tripled as students withdrawal.
He added this year the residents will choose among themselves who will move from the room if it is eventually de-tripled, rather than basing the decision on housing lottery numbers.
"By letting the residents choose who leaves, no one will have to feel like a second-class citizen," Evans said.
Last year more than half of the triples elected to stay together when offered the chance to move, Evans said.
Fox said if the opportunity arises, he doesn't know if one of them will move out because of the hassle of moving.
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