Choosing where to live as a freshman can be pretty simple. It’s either Theophilus Tower, Wallace or limited options in the LLCs, with first years being required to live on campus.
For upperclassmen, they can live in on-campus apartments, a couple of floors in Wallace, McConnell Hall or off-campus apartments. Greek Row is also an option for students in every year. In order to make an informed decision on where to live on campus, here’s a breakdown of what each area has to offer.
On-campus housing
Wallace Residence Center
Equipped with a kitchen in the basement, bathrooms in the suites and the Eatery, Wallace really has it all.
For $2,350 per semester for a double room, $3,280 for a buyout, a student can take up residence in this building. Rooms in Ballard, Willey and Gooding each have twin XL bunk beds, a desk, a mini fridge and a microwave.
They’re also all first-year student-specific floors. All floors in Stevenson have those same amenities, as well as the second and third floors having single rooms. However, the wing is reserved for upperclassmen.
Wallace has “specialized communities,” in which some floors are dedicated to one college. This year, Ballard floors three and four were dedicated to students in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
The College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences took floor two, while the College of Art and Architecture occupied floor one. On the opposite side of the building, Gooding floor one was home to students from the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences.
Specialized floors for next year have yet to be decided as they often change year to year.
When it comes to laundry, the north and south sides of the building have different setups. Students in Willey and Gooding have washers and dryers in the basement, while residents of Ballard and Stevenson have laundry rooms on the second and fourth floors.
Theophilus Tower
Standing taller than any other dormitory building is Theophilus Tower, the hub for first-year students.
The Tower costs slightly less than Wallace with a per-semester price of $2,304for a double or $3,217 for a single room. Each room comes with two twin XL beds, two wardrobes, two desks, a minifridge and a microwave. Unlike Wallace, each floor has a community bathroom and floors are not co-ed.
Theophilus Tower also has specialized communities on floors eight through 11. The eighth floor is a male floor for engineering/computer science students. Floor nine is for Women in Idaho Science and Engineering. Both floors 10 and 11 are honors student floors with 10 being a female floor and 11 being a male floor.
The Tower has 11 floors and an added basement where all of the washers and dryers are located.
McConnell
McConnell hall is the perfect place for upperclassmen looking for a simple and quiet living option.
The cost is the same as a buyout in Wallace, but every room is a single. Each dorm comes with a wardrobe, desk, minifridge and microwave. This living option also involves communal bathrooms.
The basement is co-ed and is also where the laundry room is. The first and second floors are male while the third floor is female.
Living Learning Communities
The LLCs are the newest living communities on campus and they have some of the best features of all the other buildings together.
Students have a choice between double rooms for $2,666 per semester or single rooms for $3,485. Each LLC suite comes with a furnished living area, kitchenette, full fridge and bathroom. Rooms inside the suite come with a wardrobe and a desk. These apartment-style dorms usually have four bedrooms connected to the living room.
Just like the other on-campus options, the LLCs have specialized communities. Engineering, College of Natural Resources and Scholars and the Honors LLC students are the three specific building options. Aside from Upham, which is a first-year-only building, the CNR building is the only other LLC option for first-year students. Gem, Syringa, Sage and Gault are the other four options for upperclassmen.
Each floor is co-ed, and every building has a kitchen and laundry room on the first floor.
Greek Row
With Greek Life making up approximately 23% of the student population at UI, joining a house and participating in the community comes with many benefits, not to mention hundreds of opportunities to make connections and engage with fellow students here on campus. While costs of being a part of UI Greek Life are not widely advertised, it is comparable to the price of off-campus living. Houses also come with in-house chefs that provide meals.
Cost of eating
All first-year students living on campus are required to have a meal plan. For the 2022-2023 school year, the options were The Idaho Experience, Joe’s Fuel and Vandal Fuel.
The Idaho Experience is $2,585 per semester for unlimited meals at the Eatery, $225 dining dollars and four weekly Gold Meals. Joe’s Fuel is $2,225 per semester for 14 meals per week, $325 in dining dollars and three weekly Gold Meals. Vandal Fuel is the cheapest of the three at $1,900 for eight meals per week, $425 in dining dollars and two weekly Gold Meals.
Off-campus housing
Hill Rental Properties
Locally owned and operated, Hill Rental provides one-to-three-bedroom apartments at a price that is affordable to many students. With water, sewer and garbage included in the monthly rent, Hill Rental currently prices their units at a range from $608 for a one bed and $816 for a three bed. While pets are not allowed, exceptions and accommodations can be made for service animals.
Palouse Properties
With a handful of different housing options at a variety of prices, currently ranging from $520 per month for a one bed and 0.75 bath to $1,800 for a two bed and two bath, Palouse Properties can be a great option for students looking for housing near campus this upcoming semester.
The Empire
Offering pet-friendly “designer-inspired” apartments right next to campus, The Empire has several studio and one bath units available for prices between $1,170 and $1,320. Each unit comes with water, sewer, garbage and electric included with monthly rent. Previously a motel, a number of community features such as on-site parking, on-site maintenance and laundry facilities, are coming soon.
The Grove
Providing “top-quality student housing” for those at UI, floorplans include two- and three-bedroom options. In-unit laundry, and amenities such as internet and water/sewer, are included with monthly rent. Tenants can enjoy several community features such as free parking and bike storage, a 24-hour fitness center and on-site management. Currently, the pet-friendly apartments have prices that range from $599 per month for a three bed three bath and $709 for a two bed two bath.
Republic on Main
Previously known as Identity, Republic on Main offers students fully furnished units with in-unit laundry and a variety of floorplan options. Currently, two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom units are available at prices ranging from $649 per month for a four-bed, four-bath townhouse to a two bed, two bath with a balcony for $829. Tenants also have access to a 24-hour fitness center, private study rooms, bike storage and more.
James Taurman-Aldrich and Bradi DuGal can be reached at [email protected]