UCO summer housing left in limbo

The University of Central Oklahoma has offered free summer housing in the University Commons for around eight years according to Director of Campus Enterprise Marketing Chelsea Ratterman, however, due to renovations, free summer housing is not offered for 2025.

As of right now, we are not offering free summer housing, said Ratterman in an Oct. 16 interview with The Vista.

Resident Advisors (RA’s) were told on Wednesday, Oct. 2 that free summer housing would not be available, but a formal announcement has not yet been made to students.

While rumors spread, the UCO Student Association (UCOSA) became aware of the issue and sought to find ways to inform students about what was happening.

“The rumor was spreading about it, and it was all just hearsay,” said UCOSA Senator and International Student Titus Leong. “The concern was so big it had to be addressed.”

While Leong doesn’t live on campus, a large portion of those who benefit from the free summer housing are international students.

Leong said UCOSA is seeking to meet with Housing and discuss the issue of summer housing to gain a better understanding of what students’ needs will be.

According to Ratterman international students will be on a priority list for summer housing, while the Commons undergo renovations.

“We will be offering summer housing in a limited capacity and there will be some prioritization,” said Ratterman. “We do understand that there are students that need the summer housing.”

According to Ratterman, there is not an exact timeline for relaying the information to students. The hopes are to have the information out before winter break, said Ratterman.

“Typical non-free summer housing goes out in the spring,” said Ratterman.

Paid summer housing options will still be available, but remain in limbo, according to Ratterman.