Many students who are first-time residents at Cal State Long Beach move to off-campus housing after their first year, but some continuously choose to return to dorm life year after year.
Housing Director Carol Roberts-Corb said she believes that students who continue to live on campus choose to do so out of convenience.
“Students who live on campus don’t have to commute to school, food is provided for them in the dining halls and they have janitorial service for their bathrooms,” Roberts-Corb said. “They also do not have to worry about paying various bills and fees that come with moving out to an apartment.”
Joseph Ngabo, sophomore communications major, agreed that there are many pros to living on campus as a junior or senior.
Aside from the basic necessities, he also said that returning residents get to meet new people and attend the various activities and events.
Freshman film major Matt Quinn said he thinks that it is pretty normal for some students to live on campus for two years.
“It is an easier alternative to finding off-campus housing,” he said. “I’m planning to move out after next year, but I wouldn’t overlook living on campus for a third year, though.”
Freshman marketing major Alahn Richards is planning to move out next year.
He said he believes that it is normal for sophomores to continue living on campus, but finds it strange that some juniors and seniors still do as well.
Currently, there are 887 returning residents who live on campus, which is 37 percent of all students who are in the dorms, according to Roberts-Corb. She also mentioned that this percentage tends to stay consistent.
Sean Cortes, sophomore biochemistry major, said he doesn’t plan to live on campus next year, but that he does understand why some older students return to the residence halls.
“Moving out is a true taste of independence,” Cortes said.