New freshman housing plans starting next fall semester from MWSU Campus Watch on Vimeo.

Midwestern State University is seeing an increase in the number of freshman applicants for the upcoming fall semester. As the number of freshman students grow, so does the demand for on campus housing. Housing officials say they have a new option to solve this problem.

Director of Housing and Dining Services, Michael Mills, said,” This year, we’ve put in another option and that is formerly the Grove, that is now Mustang Village. We’re working on a partnership with them to where students can lease an apartment at Mustang Village still be through university housing, still have it added to their student account to where they can use their financial aid and other things. But, the idea is we would have Trigg available to our freshman students so that we were not asking as many freshmen to start off campus.”

The feedback on this new housing option is both positive and negative. Some students are excepting this new option because even though they will live off campus, they will still get the benefits of on campus housing.

“We are going to operate as university housing, so we’re going to charge you one flat rate for the semester. That includes your bills, utilities, just like when you live on campus. There’s no other hidden fees associated. That’s just your semesterly rent. You will pay that directly to us. Through the business office instead of having to pay it over there. It is going to be for the students that what they could get on campus, the rate for Mustang Village is going to be $2,400 per semester. So for $2,400 you can get a spot in a three bedroom three bath apartment at Mustang Village,” Mills said

Assistant Housing Director of the Trigg dorm, Heather Baker, says she’s heard nothing but good things from the students who currently live in Trigg.

“They were actually really excited about the idea, I know some of the girls obviously they’re excited about the full closets, having less people to a bathroom and with Mustangs Village they’ll have their own bathroom, bigger bed, more space, they’re excited about it. The guys reactions were kind of more like, that’s what they were already planning on doing so they’re okay with it. They’re excited about it as well because I think it’s going to go on their own bills like university bills and they don’t have to worry about going out on their own and signing a contract,” Baker said

This option is now available to students when they go online and fill out request forms for fall housing. This temporary housing plan will take effect in the fall and only students who meet the requirements to live on campus will be eligible.