EUGENE–Occupancy is up this year at University of Oregon residence halls, indicating students like the convenience and services they find in campus housing.

More than 2,900 students will be moving in when residence halls open at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 22, up from 2,800 in fall of 1998.

"With the growing number of off-campus housing units available, our increase in occupancy tells me that students enjoy the many options we offer, ranging from food service to academic programs and specialty halls," says Mike Eyster, UO housing director.

Food service options include:

• An expansion of the Hamilton Hall "Grab ‘N’ Go." Started in 1997 and expanded due to its tremendous popularity, the concept is designed to accommodate students’ busy schedules with a selection of "to go" items including main entrees, quick meals, organic and vegetarian fare.

• Meals will be offered from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. The move away from food service offered only at traditional meal times to continuous food service offered 14 hours daily lets students eat as their study and work schedules allow. Students may use their meal cards daily as often as they like, up to 16 to 19 meals per week, depending on their choice of meal plan.

In the area of academic programs, the housing office and the College of Arts and Sciences are collaborating on the Faculty-in-Residence Program, now in its second year. Participating faculty will teach special academic programs in designated residence halls, as well as "how to" seminars on topics ranging from writing composition to communicating with faculty.

Other in-residence offerings include the fall leadership program, a one-credit course taught by top administrators and faculty. The course is designed to help students make new friends, "feel part of the university community and learn some leadership skills, while setting a tone which says you can have fun and do well academically," says Eyster. Also, faculty from the Robert D. Clark Honors College will offer in-residence programs for students in the Honors Hall.

The UO offers a number of special-interest residence halls in an effort to bring students together who have common interests. In addition to the Honors Hall, these include the International, Music, Academic and Outdoor Pursuits halls; Health and Fitness, Multicultural, Cyber and Creative Arts halls; and the Graduate, Quiet, Transfer, Upper Class and Substance Free halls.

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