By Mariana Deters
Every morning starts the same for USF junior Eziriah Bontemps. She wakes up tired, checks Uber prices, and hopes they will not be too high. Most days they are. She books an Uber anyway because she does not have another choice. Without on-campus housing or a car, her day begins with a commute that drains her money, messes up her schedule and disrupts her connection to campus life.
“Trying to get on-campus housing was extremely daunting and pretty stressful,” Bontemps said. “The whole process felt overwhelming, especially with how competitive it was.”
She remembers watching the waitlist grow with hundreds of students just like her, all hoping something would open up. One moment still bothers her.
“The day I pulled my application from the housing draw, I got an email just a few hours later saying I’d be next up,” she said. “I tried to reinstate my application, but I was told I had to start the entire process over. It was really discouraging. I felt frustrated and defeated.”
Now she lives at a place about a 40-minute walk from campus. Apartments within walking distance are too expensive for her budget and the Bull Runner buses don’t offer services far from campus. She relies on Uber or friends for classes, meetings and shifts. “The hardest part of living off campus without a car is definitely transportation,” she said. “It makes things like late classes or club meetings more complicated and less spontaneous.”
She said living off campus changed her routine, added to her stress and affected her performance.
“If I were living on campus, I’d have a meal plan and easier access to study spaces,” she said. “Balancing food prep, transportation and classes makes it harder to stay social or focused.” She plans to apply again because she misses the sense of community she once had.
To explain how housing decisions are made, Andrew Johnson, director for operations and outreach in Housing & Residential Education at USF, said the department shares its most current timelines and requirements through email updates and the HRE website.
He said housing is not guaranteed and encouraged students to follow HRE communication closely. “Applying early and completing all requirements puts students in the best position during the housing selection process,” Johnson said.
“HRE encourages all current and prospective residents to stay informed by reading our emails or visiting our website,” Johnson said.
Giovanna Martinez, a sophomore, laments the loss of community as Bontemps. Her freshman year on campus was one of the best periods of her life. “Most of my core memories come from living on campus,” she said. “I made so many friends. I was very productive. It was so convenient since I don’t have a car.”
Her second year was different. She was waitlisted and did not get a space.
“If I hadn’t gotten housing freshman year, it would’ve been a complete disaster,” she said. “I didn’t have the money for an apartment. I would’ve had to consider other options for school.”
Now she lives off campus without a car, walking long distances or depending on buses that she said are not always reliable. “Sometimes they’re down for hours,” she said. “There’s been several cases where I had to Uber because of that.”
The change affected her energy, her connections and her involvement. “Living off campus without a car is draining,” she said. “Stores are far away, and I don’t have the energy to meet new people like I did before. I feel disconnected.” She wants to return next year because “living on campus made everything easier,” she said.
She believes housing shortages hurt both students and the university. “Students won’t hesitate to drop out if it means being stable somewhere else,” she said. “I’ve considered it myself.” She said USF should expand housing and offer clearer support so students do not feel pushed away.
While demand for on-campus housing remains high, HRE Director Johnson said many older students choose nearby apartment complexes, especially those located near Bull Runner stops. Students under 18 receive priority for on-campus housing because “they are not eligible to sign agreements for off-campus or alternative housing.”
Grace Kelly is a junior living on campus for the first time. She did get housing this year, but said the process was still stressful. “Most of my stress came from knowing there was very limited on-campus housing,” she said. “I felt like the dates and deadlines were changing constantly and that there was a lack of helpful information.”
Even with a roommate group, she said, room selection was chaotic. “We were almost unable to choose an apartment because single people without groups were choosing at the same time.”
When she finally secured a space, she felt “incredibly relieved.” She said the stress made her realize how hard it is for students who do not get housing, especially those without cars. “Every hour of your day counts,” she said. “I feel terrible that some students have to figure out how they’re getting to class each week and if they can even afford it.”
Grace said she sees a clear difference between students on campus and those off campus. “Students who live on campus are much more connected,” she said. “Before I moved here, I was not involved in any clubs or organizations and felt disconnected.”
She believes USF needs to expand housing or slow admissions. “It doesn’t seem fair that so many students may not secure housing and end up renting off campus with sky-high rent,” she said.
All three students had ideas for how USF could improve the situation. They said the housing process needs clearer communication, stable deadlines and transparent waitlist timelines. They said older buildings should be rebuilt or renovated and that USF should expand housing overall. They also said the waitlist should move in a consistent and fair way so students can plan without guessing. They want applications that do not change at the last minute and a process that feels accessible, not confusing.
Johnson said the university is also planning long-term expansion. He pointed to the recently approved Fletcher District Project, which is expected to add 700 new beds when it opens in Fall 2028.
“HRE works to maintain affordable housing options while reinvesting in facilities and enhancing the overall residential experience,” he said. “We believe this approach is what drives the demand to live on campus.”
Despite the stress, all three students said they want to be back on campus next year.
Eziriah said, “I’d much rather live on campus for the convenience and the sense of community.”
Giovanna said, “Living on campus was the best for me. I want that again.”
Grace said, “I want to stay on campus because it helps me stay connected and involved.”
After long commutes, unreliable transportation, high costs and months of uncertainty, they still want to come back. To them, being on campus is not just a place to sleep. It is where they feel supported. It is where they feel like students. It is where they feel at home.