UD Adjusts Housing Options for 2025-26 Academic Year
Terrance White | Managing Editor
The University of Dayton has finalized residence hall options for the 2025-26 academic year, announcing that Founders Hall, The Adele Center, and Lawnview Apartments will be offline for student housing. While the Adele Center’s meeting and office spaces will remain open, these changes will reflect a strategic shift in response to smaller class sizes and the university’s commitment to sustainability and financial responsibility.
Incoming first-year students will be housed in Marycrest Hall, Stuart Hall, and Marianist Hall. Second-year students will have options in Virginia W. Kettering Hall, Campus South, Garden Apartments, and Marianist Hall. Juniors and seniors will continue using PATH credits to secure housing in student neighborhoods, Caldwell Apartments, and Art Street. Additionally, learning communities previously located in Adele Center will be relocated to Caldwell Apartments.
“The residential living environment is a key part of UD’s community, and we understand the impact of these adjustments,” a university spokesperson said. “However, these decisions ensure long-term sustainability while maintaining a vibrant campus experience.”
Christina Smith, assistant vice president for student development and executive director of Housing and Residence Life, emphasized that the university will have sufficient housing for all students despite the changes. “With the smaller class sizes and the availability of the early assignment process this past fall, we will have sufficient space for all students in residence halls, houses, and apartments,” Smith said. She also noted that housing decisions were based on operational costs and student preferences in previous housing assignments.
Housing and Residence Life will host information sessions to assist students and guide them through the application process ahead of the application opening on Feb. 24. Notifications for housing assignments will be sent out on Tuesday, April 8.
Aila Carr-Chellman, president of the Student Government Association (SGA), noted that while the changes have raised concerns among students, including the availability of housing and the implications of smaller class sizes, the university is working diligently to address these issues. “People primarily seem to be concerned that there won’t be enough space, or that there’s been more housing space available than has seemed. It should be said that in recent years both Lawnview and Adele have been at waning capacity—they haven’t been full for some time. No one that wants it will be without University housing, and the powers that be will seek to honor the wishes and concerns of students,” Aila said.
She also highlighted the importance of transparency and maintaining UD’s strong sense of community amid these adjustments. “Students at UD care about the future of the University, and there seems to be some confusion about what it means for us to be both decreasing the number of students coming through our doors and addressing continued budget issues. Admissions is adjusting to many factors of a changing world, but being very thoughtful about how best to maintain the intentional community and culture we have here at UD,” she said.
Regarding the relocation of learning communities to Caldwell Apartments, Aila said the adjustment is expected to have minimal impact. “There is some concern about the connectedness of living in Caldwell as opposed to Adele, but the facilities are relatively similar in terms of amenities and community-oriented space,” she added.
SGA is working closely with Housing and Residence Life to ensure all students have a comfortable place to live during their time at UD. “Those students living in Lawnview and Adele this year have been informed that this change is coming, and many of them are aware of the impact this will have on their housing options for the upcoming year. Although we are unsure of the specific consequences of this change, SGA will be present and available to respond to any concerns students may have in the coming months,” Aila said.
Smith also reiterated the university’s commitment to first-year students’ experience. “The experience for incoming students will continue to be focused on building relationships and community with roommates and floormates,” she said. First-year housing will remain in traditional residence halls that foster community engagement.
The general housing application for returning students opens Monday, Feb. 24, and will remain available through Friday, March 14. Housing assignment notifications will be sent out on Tuesday, April 8.