Grand Valley State University’s housing department has already begun placing students in housing for the 2012-2013 school year, a few months earlier than in previous years.

“One of the reasons we’re proceeding so early is to keep up with demand and providing better service to our students,” said Brenda Mitchner, associate director of Housing and Residence Life.

Currently, 5,464 students live on campus at GVSU. In past years, students living on campus has been between 5,200 and 5,800, often closer to 5,200.

To further accommodate the growth of GVSU students living on campus, the South Apartments and The Connection were opened in the fall of 2010.

“This also coordinates with our benefits of living on campus in providing support and continuing the tradition of campus involvement, companionship, convenience and academic success,” Mitchner said.

According to the Housing website, www.gvsu.edu/housing, students who live on campus are more likely to be involved on campus with organizations, jobs and university programs.

“Moving up the process is an integral part of providing the tools for success,” Mitchner said.

Currently, GVSU housing offers three types of housing for freshmen: traditional-style, apartment-style and suite-style. On-campus apartments and townhouses are also available on the Allendale and Pew campuses for primarily upperclassmen, although freshmen can live in certain apartment-style housing options, such as the Honors housing in the Niemeyer Living Center. Students can choose regular or themed apartments, such as Healthy Living Choices and Pre-Law Education Residential Living.

For more information about on-campus residences, visit www.gvsu.edu/housing.

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