Future bright for student housing, says Student Affairs

While there are incentives for Baruch student housing, official plans have yet to come off the ground.

In the Strategic Plan 2006-2011, the college's most recent publication of its goals, the focus on turning Baruch into a more "vibrant urban campus will come from the addition of student housing." In this section of the plan, the council states its intent to "conduct a feasibility study for the construction or acquisition of a 500-bed student dormitory."

Dr. Corlisse Thomas, the assistant vice president of Student Affairs, acknowledges the value of the college owning a dormitory as a "tremendous asset."

"The community at Baruch would appreciate housing and the vast majority [of students] indicated they would have chosen to live in campus housing if the option was available," said Thomas. "And the opportunity to live in the neighboring area, in a city that is as diverse and lively as New York, is a recipe for growth and success."

As an alternative, Baruch students have the option of staying at dormitories provided by Educational Housing Services, an independent student housing service, with offices located on 24th street adjacent to the Vertical Campus.

There are currently over 70 students enrolled in the EHS' Third Avenue residence, but the housing option attached to Baruch is recommended for students wanting the full college experience.

In a 2007 housing summary produced by Dr. Ben Corpus, vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment, 83 percent of students who participated stated that they would apply for a dorm had Baruch offered it at the time of their application.

According to Corpus, the college has been looking for a residential location for the last two years.

"Jim Lloyd, assistant vice president for Campus Operations, has looked at 35 properties and I have visited 15, and what we are keeping in mind is proximity, safety, condition of facility, price and financing," said Dr. Corpus.

Corpus also stated that Iris Weinshall, vice chancellor for Facilities Planning, Construction, and Management at CUNY, has been very supportive in advancing the conversation for appropriate housing for CUNY colleges.

"Even though we know no definite plans or locations, the future looks bright for student housing," said Thomas.