Shortage of dorms has UW-Eau Claire students living in hotels

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Once again this fall, a shortage of dorm space has hundreds of Wisconsin college students living elsewhere.

At the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, almost 230 students are staying in two hotels, because more upper-classmen than expected decided to keep living on-campus.

Sixty-six freshmen are among those sent to hotels.

Eau Claire housing director Chuck Major says they still get the normal dorm services – and it still resembles a dorm-type atmosphere.

At UW-Milwaukee, 1,800 students were turned away once the dorms were filled.

A new facility with 700 beds will be ready next fall.

UW-Green Bay has about 100 students on a waiting list, about the same as in past years. And a new dorm is opening next fall. UW-Madison got approval in the state budget for two new residence halls with 560 beds.

The first dorm is expected to open in 2012.

Tags: wisconsin, university, dorms, shortage