MISSOULA – University of Montana officials say there were fewer students sleeping in study lounges this year compared to last year.
The Missoula campus typically deals with new students without a permanent housing option. Last fall, 149 students were crammed into dormitory study lounges until they were assigned dorm rooms.
But this year, Director of Residence Life Ron Brunell says the university only had 70 awaiting their dorm room assignments when classes opened Monday.
The university is working to polish its residence hall reputation. The Princeton Review recently ranked the UM 12th in the category “Dorms Like Dungeons.”
Brunell says a couple of factors may have contributed to fewer students without housing this year. He says economic challenges may have forced more students to live at home or enroll as part-time students.