So many students want the college experience — a mix of convenience, economy and campus social life — that the University of Cincinnati's dorms overflowed this quarter.

        More than 100 students were housed in converted residence hall lounges and the last 15 were given rooms at nearby Vernon Manor, where UC also installed a resident adviser and rented space for a study hall.

University of Cincinnati students Scott Fiore (wearing hat) and Dave Webb work in their room in Calhoun Hall. The room, a student lounge, was turned into temporary housing. (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

        “It's more than enough room compared to the dorms,” said David Payne, 19, a third-quarter University College freshman from Wyoming, who shares one of the fourth-floor Vernon Manor rooms with two men.

        UC negotiated a 15 percent discount for students at the Vernon Manor restaurant but most choose less-costly food plans at UC, Mr. Payne said.

        These temporary measures probably will last until the winter quarter starts in January, said Janice Freehill, UC director of housing and food services.

        She attributed the crunch largely to a record freshman class and a surprising number of students whose contracts arrived in late August and early September.

        UC is not unique. Dorms are full this fall on most Tristate campuses and at least four schools are building or planning new residence halls.

        UC is spending millions to upgrade and modernize older dorms and will add 550 beds in Jefferson Halls, a $39 million trio of low-rise dorms to open next September on the Corryville side of campus.

        Xavier University opened $14 million, four-story Xavier Commons on Herald Avenue across from the Cintas Center this semester with more than 270 beds, plus an apartment for the Rev. Michael J. Graham, SJ, its president.

        Before that, XU had 1,500 beds in more than a dozen campus and leased facilities.

        “The location is great,” said Jackson Goodnight, 22, of Lima, Ohio, who has spent all four years at Xavier in dorms. “It's a three-minute walk to class.”

        That convenience is a common reason for living on campus. Then there are savings for students who don't have to buy furniture or pay for parking as commuters.

        Thomas More College in Crestview Hills — with three full dorms housing 250 students — is building a $6 million dorm to house 160 students next fall.

        And Northern Kentucky University plans to open an additional residence hall with 350 beds by 2003 on its Highland Heights campus at a cost of up to $15 million.

        When NKU opened in August, demand forced Todd Duncan, director of housing, to stuff 1,060 into four dorms designed for 997 students. He added a third student in one-bedroom doubles by putting in bunk beds.

        The appeal of dorms reflects an ability to adjust to the market. New residence halls offer the campus experience in suites, rather than monkish cells or efficiencies.

        That motive and success was evident in Xavier's new dorm, built for juniors and seniors who otherwise might take their money and live off-campus.

        Mr. Goodnight and his roommates each have a bedroom and share a kitchen and lounge and bathroom.

        Everything is provided: furniture, appliances, digital cable and Internet connections.

        Living in a dorm also means not worrying whether a roommate will renege on rent or whether utility costs will rise suddenly, or about fights with a landlord, Mr. Goodnight added.

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