<p>We were on a campus tour of Chapman a few days ago and were told that ALL freshmen live in triples because there is so little campus housing. We were shown a tiny dark room, crammed with 3 lofted beds in a row and were told this was a typical room. It was like walking into a dreary, stuffed closet, and was....horrible. I was shocked, and completely turned off at that point during an otherwise very impressive tour. Current students and parents, is this true and how have you or your kids adjusted? 12K for housing and board in a closet??</p>
<p>I’ve responded to this issue before. It is true that Freshmen are in triples. But maybe the room felt smaller than it was because there were 3 beds. The Chapman dorms are 11 feet by 19 feet. At UC Santa Barbara and most of the other UC’s, dorm rooms are 12x12 and sometimes also house triples. Chapman’s freshmen dorms have either a private bath or walk-in closet. My son’s room has both. All three beds are on the floor, none of them bunked. It is a little tight, but they’re fine with it. I understand your feeling put off by this because it was my first reaction too, but my son was well-matched with his two roommates and they get along fine. The RA’s are very helpful too. Truly, I would not let this put you off. I almost didn’t want my son to apply because of this, and it has turned out to be perfectly fine. </p>
<p>Can we hear from some other parents or some students?</p>
<p>Depending on where the room is situated, the room in Pralle-Sodaro Hall where DS and two other dormmates stayed in last year was big enough for three beds, and actually pretty comfortable. They set up two of the beds into bunk beds, while the third one a single. They rearranged the furniture to line up against the walls to leave the center of the room open. The bathroom and walk-in closet were spacious as well.</p>
<p>Here’s their link to the residence halls. To view for room amenities and building features, just click on one of the residence halls.
[Chapman</a> University - Res Life - About Us - Contact Us](<a href=“Page Not Found | Chapman University”>Page Not Found | Chapman University)</p>
<p>^Thanks for this info from both of you. I’d love to hear from other parents and students, too. I clicked on that housing link for your kid’s building, and others. Interestingly, the photos and furniture-arrangement floor plan links are disabled, most likely because they show rooms set up as doubles. The one visible floor plan shows a fairly spacious double set-up. I’m sure the school would say the 100% triple situation is only temporary so there’s no need to show accurate photos and floor plans.</p>
<p>Hi Jane345,</p>
<p>As a current freshman at Chapman, I have to agree with the posts above and say that housing at Chapman is great, and definitely part of the reason that I decided to go to Chapman. I am familiar with the room layout that you described and although it might not be the most desired layout for your student, many people prefer the way it gives you your own personal space and lots of storage. As for having three roommates, I can assure you that there is more than enough space for three people (the dorms were built for three) and I wouldn’t trade having my two roommates for anything…even the extra space.</p>
<p>Also, I have had many friends from colleges across the country visit me, and all of them were impressed with our dorm facilities and said that they were better than their own. When I was looking at colleges, Chapman was the only school to show a room with current students, and one university showed a room outfitted by the Container Store. (Which, although attractive, was not an accurate representation of the dorms). Chapman shows actual dorm rooms because their housing is something to be proud of, and I’m so sorry if your tour experience wasn’t a good representation of the Chapman dorms. </p>
<p>I hope you take this information into consideration, and please let me know if you have any other questions about Chapman housing or the university in general, and I’d love to shed some light on issues you may be concerned about.</p>
<p>Sincerely,
A happy (and well-adjusted 
) CU Panther</p>
<p>Thanks for the inside scoop, panther. So does someone come and clean your bathroom regularly? How does that work? Also, are dorms assigned randomly, or can students express a preference? D has been accepted to Dodge, but we are on the other side of the country and haven’t yet had the opportunity to visit. Looking forward to coming out there in April. </p>
<p>We have seen some mighty cramped triples at other schools like American University and SUNY Purchase. Those were pretty bad, and did not feature private bathrooms. Chapman sounds better --more spacious – though.</p>
<p>Our bathrooms are cleaned 3 times a year professionally, but other than that we are responsible for wiping everything down ourselves. To be honest, I didn’t do a lot of chores growing up, but keeping my own room and bathroom clean is just a responsibility that comes with the freedom of college, and I’m more than okay with it. :)</p>
<p>You will hear more about the roommate selection when you tour, but roommates are assigned through a very in-depth survey about living habits or you can request a roommate that you know. :)</p>
<p>I’m a Dodge student too, so I’m sure you’ll enjoy your visit-- it’s a very impressive school!</p>
<p>Thanks very much, cupanther93. I may PM you with other questions about Chapman as my son proceeds with this process, but I’ll keep this thread on point, namely freshman triples.</p>
<p>I’m looking at my acceptance packet, and it looks like there are a few instances where freshmen don’t necessarily live in triples. This quote stands out: “Due to the configuration of Morlan rooms, all housing assignments made within Morlan will be double occupancy.” My sister lived in North Morlan as a freshman last year. She didn’t mind it, and said that it was a good size (it’s about 20x14), but she would’ve preferred a traditional dorm to an open-air residence hall.</p>
<p>I’m also seeing that some rooms within Pralle-Sodaro (19x11.5) are double occupancy; specifically, you may be assigned to a triple with a private bathroom, or a five-person suite that has two in one room and three in the other. </p>
<p>Glass and Henley appear to all be triples.</p>
<p>OK, cupanther93. Tell us how plans for the new Dodge dorm and film village are going. Do you have a sense of when these things will actually get started or finished? That should relieve some of the housing congestion, right? </p>
<p>Another housing question that perplexes me is off campus housing. If Old Towne Orange is an established and desirable neighborhood to live in, how can there be affordable student housing there? Or is it farther afield? Are most upperclassmen living off campus actually living at home or what? </p>
<p>I have many Dodge questions as well (beginning with what equipment, if any, should a film making student bring with her) but maybe we should start another thread for Dodge topics. I’m sure others would be interested in your experience and inside view of things. You have been very kind to clear up all these questions so far – thanks!</p>
<p>Shakespearefan… I think the filmmakers village is planned to be built in the next couple of years so that hopefully incoming freshmen will use it for housing when they become upperclassmen.</p>
<p>Old Town Orange IS a cute and desirable area, although not all of the homes have been renovated and updated. Many students live in nearby houses that are a little bit older or apartment complexes close to Chapman (paying about $600 a month in rent from what I’ve heard.)</p>
<p>As for film equipment, I showed up to school with a MacBook, and Chapman has provided the rest… but I’m sure more information about supplies will come later in the summer. :)</p>
<p>The dorm rooms we toured last October seemed just fine for three. And our son really liked the food options. My older son, at another university, also lived in a smaller room, with three kids. He had no problems and remains close friends with both his roommates. Now living in a house with one of them.</p>
<p>In Henley, the rooms are very spacious for 3 people, and we have our own bathroom which is a reasonable size (about 1/3 the size of the actual room) MUCH better than a residence hall set up! </p>
<p>As for the film equipment in the film school, it’s awesome! We have a “Goldroom” and you can make reservations for equipment through the online site. They have everything from cameras used for Film Production Thesises to reams of animation paper. </p>
<p>Also, there are editing suites and digital arts suites where you can use at any time as long as you are a student at Dodge. </p>
<p>The film school is PC-based but I have a MacBook and it works out just fine. In terms of editing software, it is AVID based, but there are many who use Final Cut or Premiere and they’re doing fine. </p>
<p>Also, we have a MoCap stage that you can be certified to reserve, and it’s awesome! One of the few film schools to have its own MoCap stage.</p>
<p>dakidd</p>
<p>Thanks for the specifics on equipment at Dodge. What about a car? Do you have one on campus or feel it’s necessary for getting around to shoot stuff for your films?</p>
<p>And one more big film school question: after you make your films for projects, do you the student own the films or does the school own them?</p>
<p>Thanks for the useful information, Dakiddd! Much appreciated. :)</p>