More Fresno State students living in ‘triples.’ School expects $1M more in revenue
In a typical community double dorm room at Fresno State, two lofted beds sit atop desks on separate sides of the room. But starting last year, the school moved one desk in some of those dorms to the side, adding an extra bed and transforming doubles into triples.
Now, the school contains 211 community triple dorms spread out across all 10 of its residence halls. Of the 1,322 Fresno State students who use student housing, about half live in a community triple.
Fresno State rolled out these rooms last fall. As the school begins a second year with its triples, it continues work on an affordable housing project: a new residential building to add even more dorms on campus when it opens next fall. The triple dorms helped the university increase its budgeted rent revenue year to year by over $1 million.
The university also increased its budgeted revenue because it reduced the number of single dorms — a choice that it wrote would contribute to a stronger “network of students who support each other academically” and “make new friends.”
Unlike in previous years, students did not receive the option to live at TownePlace Suites on Fresno Street and Herndon Avenue. Instead, places like Palazzo Apartments accommodated waitlisted students, and the school intends to use local apartments as a “more long-term housing solution,” according to Erin Boele, director of student housing.
While 157 students were waitlisted as of July 29, Boele said all students could find housing on campus or at a local apartment by Monday.
How much does Fresno State make from rent?
Rent revenue has steadily climbed from about $6.3 million in the 2021-22 year to $7 million in 2023-24, the most recent year for which revenue data are available. The school also increased the amount of money budgeted for rent revenue, jumping from about $6.5 million in 2023-24 to $7.5 million a year later as it introduced community triples.
The university’s student housing program falls under the auxiliary Fresno State Association, which deferred part of its debt payments earlier this year on the Save Mart Center. In the spring, Bob Brown, interim vice president of administration and chief financial officer at the time, told The Bee that auxiliary operations would “cover both the facility’s debt service and ongoing expenses, assuming full liability for the debt.”
Boele said that, because Fresno State Student Housing is “self-operated and self-supporting,” its revenue would be “reinvested directly into our facilities and programs to benefit our residents,” including renovations and infrastructure upgrades.
The university’s planned affordable housing project will add 228 beds and is funded by a $33.7 million state grant and $20 million in revenue bonds from California State University, according to a September 2024 news release. Fresno State Association will repay the bonds.
What are community triples?
Most community doubles on campus are 15 feet, 10 inches by 11 feet, 2 inches in size, according to the Student Housing website. By comparison, suites span 14 feet by 12 feet, 2 inches. Rent for community triples increased slightly year to year, from $5,037 to $5,239, while remaining the cheapest options on campus. The next cheapest option — a suite with two bedrooms, each triples — costs several hundred dollars more.
Incoming students must apply to live on campus separately from their admission applications. Applications open on Oct. 15, and students must reapply for each year they want to live on campus. Students learn their housing assignments gradually starting in June “as space becomes available,” according to the university’s website.
A university spokesperson said mental health problems and roommate conflicts “have not been significantly higher” among students in community triples, nor have residents in those dorms participated in mediation meetings or requested room changes at a different frequency than other students.
Rising freshman Alyssa Alvarenga said she’s optimistic about sharing the space with her roommates, who she texted and called before moving in. Still, the cramped quarters affected her plans.
“I’m definitely trying not to overpack,” she said.
Higher education reporter Robert Kuwada contributed to this report.
