<p>My S was accepted regular decision for EMAC. We were very happy but then I became aware of the following when we were starting to fill out the housing and dining application:</p>
<p>"Students Against RPI Housing Reform | FacebookStudents Against RPI Housing Reform is on FacebookSign up for Facebook to ... for Blitman or Polytech you have to fill out an application that consists of: ... Students</a> Against RPI Housing Reform | Facebook - Cached"</p>
<p>We thought that the kids could opt to live on campus all four years. It seems like things changed in December and they may have to find their own off campus housing after sophomore year. Can anyone comment?</p>
<p>I’ve been reading about the housing policy change over the past few months. You might want to peruse older posts on [url=<a href=“http://www.rpinsider.com%5DRPInsider%5B/url”>http://www.rpinsider.com]RPInsider[/url</a>] , a student run board about RPI. I think there’s some transition issues in the housing program as they shift to requiring freshman AND sophomores to live on campus starting next year (at least this is what we heard on campus last week). This is part of an increased focus on student life, something that is happening at several campuses. RPI is a great program and is getting even more popular.</p>
<p>Freshmen and Sophomores must live on campus unless they join and live at an approved frat/sorority. I think a lot of people move off campus after sophomore year because it allows you more freedom/more room/nicer.</p>
<p>The applications for blitman/polytech is because I think they’re going to be themed housing</p>
<p>It’s also a lot cheaper to live off campus or in a frat. Housing and meals cost over $11,000 for my freshman son this year. Next year, we’ll save $4000 when he is living and eating at a frat.</p>
<p>most people are upset about being forced to live on campus sophomore year.
since most people find apts or go greek, if you want to live on campus junior or senior year you shouldnt have much of a problem.</p>
<p>Essie49, I’d have to respectfully disagree with you there…</p>
<p>I’m slightly ticked off that I was kicked off campus for the upcoming year. When I originally signed the contract for this room, I was under the impression that I could keep it for as long as I remain a student. Apparently, that’s not the case.</p>
<p>Since both my roommate and I got awful lottery numbers for the Polytech/Blitman apartments and the lottery occurs long after you want to be done finding off-campus housing, we were essentially evacuated from campus. Neither of us are terribly amused by the situation.</p>
<p>Is is hard to get into the theme housing programs, specifically, the Environmental Learning dorm? Does anyone have any experience, pro or con, with that program?</p>
<p>Another comment to add to cesium55 regarding the housing:</p>
<p>My daughter is just finishing her sophomore year and was settled in nicely in an on campus apt. in Stackwyke. Thought she would be all set for at the least the next year or two. Not the case now. All those buildings now are for SOPHOMORES ONLY. So if you are going to be a Junior or Senior you now have to move it out and the buildings that are “for you” are Blitman and Polytech Apts. </p>
<p>Big thing about that is that Blitman is essentially ALL doubles and Polytech is THE most expensive dorm at RPI. Not to mention Polytech is technically not “on campus” - it’s a long shuttle ride but really you need a car. It also doesn’t have that many apts. They held a lottery for both buildings for the the juniors and Seniors. To give you an idea how well that went. They issued over 400 numbers for the Polytech Apts. and stopped before 100 because the building was Full. The next option for Jr/Sr is the Colony Apts which also are a very long shuttle ride. Those are mostly single apts. Many of the kids felt that the school took the majority of the campus apt options away from the Jrs and Srs and held them for the Sophomore since they are now required to live on campus. It was done quite suddenly with no “transitioning in” period. It has left a lot of upperclass kids with housing situations they are not happy with. Split up roomates, floormates after several years- it’s kind of a bummer.</p>
<p>As a student there’s not so much a housing problem- more so the way the handled it. Alot of students who wish to live on campus can no longer- those that which to leave campus can no longer. </p>
<p>The Troy area has relativly cheap rent so it usually works out where living off- campus is cheaper and you have much nicer rooms for the most part.</p>
<p>Most of the things said here are true, I just wanted to clear up some things:</p>
<p>Polytech and Blitman aren’t the only housing offered to upperclassmen. There is also North Hall and E-complex (singles, doubles, and triples, located right next to campus, cheapest housing on campus, but are old buildings, quality similar to Quad’s). </p>
<p>Polytech is hardly a long shuttle ride from campus, it is half a mile, I live there now and it is less than an 8 minute walk from campus. You don’t need a car unless you are really lazy(which I am, so I do have one). Colonie apartments are much farther than Polytech. </p>
<p>It is unfortunate that it is so difficult to find decent housing as an upperclassmen, but I don’t think housing filled up, most people do not want to live in North or E (who would want to go back to dorm living after living in apartments like RAHPs, Sharp, or Stackwyck?), so they would rather live off campus.</p>