UM-Flint experiencing growing pains

FLINT (WJRT) -- (01/02/09) -- On the Flint campus of the University of Michigan, it's the type of problem that many only wish they would have in this tight economy.

The local university is experiencing a lot of quick growth.

That growth may mean the University won't have enough student housing space next year.

University officials say they're in the intensive search mode for more student housing after looking at the preliminary numbers for next year.

"Anywhere from 150 to 200 new space additional," said University of Michigan-Flint Provost Jack Kay.

Kay says the preliminary numbers include a keen interest from Genesee County students wanting to live on campus and a projected 30-40 percent increase in international students.

Preliminary figures indicate about 100 possible spaces in existing student housing for next year. "We don't anticipate having enough space for all the freshmen who want to live in the residence hall."

Kay says the university is looking at a variety of housing options to accommodate the incoming students in the fall.

Genesee County's Land Bank Director Dan Kildee is recommends the Character Inn across the street as an option,  saying the existing hotel rooms could easily be converted into dorm rooms before the next school year.

The Mott Foundation and Crim Fitness Foundation will soon control the Character Inn. There is no indication that either supports such an option.

The University is taking no position on the possibility, either.   "I don't know what the chancellor has been talking about in terms of the Character Inn. But certainly we're exploring all kinds of different kinds of options. We do need space for the upcoming fall," Kay said.

The university has begun to look into the possibility of another residence hall, but that wouldn't happen for years.

Coming in the next couple months are recommendations on whether UM-Flint should add athletic teams and talk of the university using the Capitol Theatre downtown.

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local, cathy shafran

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