I'm now a JR who lived in the dorms for my first two year and lemme tell you I couldn't be happier that I moved out. I don't know about traditions, but I really have no clue what Bill is talking about when he says "Loyalty rates and events, and also the extensive amenities, benefits and services." It's hard to find anywhere in norman that is more expensive to live than in the dorms. Yeah my freshman year in the dorms was great, and I'd recommend any incoming freshman to live in the dorms their first year but sophomore year was a completely different story. "Year two of the program, students receive 50 free meal points per semester", great 50 meal points to a plan that's overpriced and hardly anyone uses up anyway “Because all bills are charged to the student’s bursar account they have the ability to use financial aid award money and scholarships to pay rent and bills,” Or students could live elsewhere, and use that financial aid money for rent at The Reserves or The edge and still have money left over to put in their back.

I agree. The things they give are really not enough of an incentive, given that the dorms are so expensive anyway. I live easily within walking or bike-riding distance, and pay so much less because I am not in the dorms.

I completely agree this is bogus. My husband and I live in the Krattli apartments and we don't get any kind of bonuses. We have gotten 2 rent increases in the 2 years we have lived here. It would be nice to get a little something back! I wish the university would remember all of us families living here too...that would be really nice!

I have lived in both an apartment and the dorms in the past few years I've been in college (both here and in my hometown). I agree only with this: The meal plans for the dorms are expensive, as well as rooms in the towers. $1700 a semester for meals is high. Then again, if you eat Quiznos or *insert popular food chain here* twice a day, you're looking at the same amount of money spent in the long term. The towers are the most expensive rooms around. I won't deny that, and that's why I've only lived there for one month (during the summer). Cate is by far the cheapest dorm on campus. By that I mean the rooms: don't think about food. Even in the dorms you can budget on food outside a meal plan. Three main points: 1. "There is no such thing as a free lunch." Living off campus might be cheaper for food (if you budget correctly) and even some utilities, but you lose time and money on other items (gas, travel, cleaning supplies, etc.). 2. Budgeting money, as well as time, is always the best tool for any student. 3. Living expenses are relative, not a "one size fits all" issue.

the thing is, living in the dorms is fun freshman year but nothing beats having a house with a nice yard and driveway. seriously, quality of life in a house beats quality of life anywhere else.

living in the dorms was fun for my first semester of college. it is a great way to meet new people and it is easy to stay connected to what is going on at the university. i was very ready to get the hell out of there though by the end of the second semester. the dorms really are a bunch of holes in the walls and they are way too expensive. also, it is impossible to ever get ANYTHING done living in the dorms. i think that a much larger percentage of students would return to school after their first year if they didn't have to live in the dorms.

OK, what gives? This Bill person was a person that directly shot down my request for compensation for having to move my entire apartment from one place to another within a 24hr period. The problem was that the roof was leaking, and it could not be fixed in the 5 times that it was reported so I was TOLD that I had to move. This happened in the middle of the semester and all within 24 hrs. When I asked if I could at least get a reduction in my rent for one month because of the hardship I was told that I had the option to move out if I wanted to. Now, that's a loyalty program! Gold star for you Housing & Food Services!

I think someone was paid to write this...

I was glad to move out of the dorms after my freshman year. I lived in Walker Tower, where we had more false fire alarms than anywhere else on campus, and more than once it happened at night. On top of that, the guys on my floor were so obnoxious and rowdy at 3 AM I would be woken up from hollering and running with football in the hallway, and it disrupted my sleep. The elevators were always breaking down and under maintainence. The dorms are these overpriced cubbie holes, I wouldn't ever go back to them. I live in Bishop's Landing Apartments, and granted they may be a bit on the shabby side, but at least the rent is reasonable and all utilities (high-speed internet, water, electric, heating/AC, cable TV, etc.) are included in the rent (except the landline phone bill, but if you have a cell phone, that's not even an issue) - not to mention I have a LOT more space and privacy than I did in the dorms. Overall off-campus living is MUCH better. The dorms are a first-year experience that everyone goes through as a sort of college "initiation", and then you get out. That's how I see it.

I think this article is not that well written.