Daily Illini Housing Guide

Largest freshman class skyrockets dining hall foot traffic

After posting about its largest admitted freshman class, students living in University dorms face the consequences of this statistic, as dining halls have quickly become overcrowded.  “The size of the first year class did put University Housing in a bit of a complex position because the class size doesn’t take shape until the summer, and...

The post Largest freshman class skyrockets dining hall foot traffic appeared first on The Daily Illini.


CU construction projects accommodate housing crisis

Whether the demolition of a nearby building has become your new morning alarm or a leasing company has staked its claim on a fenced-in construction site, it’s nearly impossible to walk around the University without running into one of Champaign-Urbana’s newest building developments. Leasing companies are claiming many construction projects amidst the rising population in...

The post CU construction projects accommodate housing crisis appeared first on The Daily Illini.


UI students build hopes, homes through Habitat for Humanity

The University’s Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter is a student-run organization working with the City of Champaign to annually build a home for a family in need in the local area. This year, they will construct their 20th student-sponsored house.  “Habitat gives me an outlet to volunteer and help in the community, and you can...

The post UI students build hopes, homes through Habitat for Humanity appeared first on The Daily Illini.


Freshmen juggle housing options for next year

The University offers a charcuterie board of housing options for freshmen and transfer students. Residence halls, certified housing, fraternity houses, off-campus living and co-ops are just a sliver of the options available on campus. Each option comes with its own benefits and compromises. We asked the class of 2026 about the factors behind their housing...

The post Freshmen juggle housing options for next year appeared first on The Daily Illini.


Opinion | Urbana remains superior to Champaign

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Urbana and then Champaign. Even the person that named the University knows Urbana is the superior town to the chaotic and capitalistic Champaign.  Urbana is quiet and peaceful, the most conducive to learning and a classic college life. The Main Quad is one of the biggest players of Urbana,...

The post Opinion | Urbana remains superior to Champaign appeared first on The Daily Illini.


Champaign County prepares to open its first 24/7 homeless shelter

Champaign County’s first-ever 24/7 homeless shelter — known as Strides — is in a race against the clock as it prepares to open before the onset of the cold season.  According to organizers, the Strides shelter will be at either one of two Champaign locations: CU at Home’s current location, 70 E. Washington St., or...

The post Champaign County prepares to open its first 24/7 homeless shelter appeared first on The Daily Illini.


Dos and don’ts of cleaning

Moving into your own space can be a liberating experience; however, with more independence comes more responsibility. Whether you’re living by yourself or with roommates, dust, dander and dirt can build up quickly. Here are some tips and tricks to keep your space fresh and clean.  Dos: Utilize white vinegar for cleaning. According to Dr. Maria...

The post Dos and don’ts of cleaning appeared first on The Daily Illini.


Cultivate your space with these easy houseplants

You’ve moved in, settled down and added your own decorative touches to your living space. Your new apartment or dorm room is equipped with posters, pictures and memorabilia from years past.  However, something may be missing. You might want the space to look fresh and inviting. What you may need are houseplants to brighten your...

The post Cultivate your space with these easy houseplants appeared first on The Daily Illini.


Unpacking the complex racial history of University Avenue

Although it is now lined with freshly built luxury student apartment buildings, Champaign’s University Avenue is also paved with regional significance dating as far back as 1940.  Barbara Suggs-Mason, co-chair of the Champaign County African American Heritage Trail, said University Avenue has long served as the unofficial border between the University’s campus and Champaign’s North...

The post Unpacking the complex racial history of University Avenue appeared first on The Daily Illini.


Landlords and lawyers: How predatory rental practices fly under the radar

Dylan Bogash, senior in LAS, toured several campus apartments before transferring to the University in the fall of 2022. When she saw a relatively inexpensive one-bedroom apartment on the Smile Student Living website, Bogash decided to tour the space. “On the website, it was a beautiful, spacious unit full of natural light,” Bogash said. When...

The post Landlords and lawyers: How predatory rental practices fly under the radar appeared first on The Daily Illini.


Beyond the buck

The year is 1974 — the Watergate scandal is hot off the presses, “The Godfather Part II” has arguably become the only good sequel in all of cinema history and a gallon of milk sets you back a mere 72 cents. Fifty years later, Watergate is a historical earmark, KISS has just concluded its fifth farewell...

The post Beyond the buck appeared first on The Daily Illini.


LLCs empower students living in residence halls

Scattered across the various residence halls of the University lie the Living-Learning Communities. There are a total of 10 LLCs at the University, and each one helps connect students who share similar interests. Students apply to join an LLC when they sign their University Housing contract. Students then write a short essay about why they...

The post LLCs empower students living in residence halls appeared first on The Daily Illini.


Living in Squirrel City: A glimpse of life in a co-op

In cooperative housing — more commonly known as “co-ops” — moving in is more than signing a lease; it’s an invitation to join a community.  A co-op is a communal living setup where residents divide household chores and resources to maintain the home while connecting with others who share similar interests. The living format also...

The post Living in Squirrel City: A glimpse of life in a co-op appeared first on The Daily Illini.


Students take action against withheld security deposits 

Students are struggling to receive their full security deposits back from property owners after the latest round of academic year leases terminated in August. Many renting students were slapped with charges for cleaning and maintenance after they moved out, which were withheld from the security deposits they paid upfront to cover potential damages to their...

The post Students take action against withheld security deposits  appeared first on The Daily Illini.


University Housing, RAs speak on UI dorm shortage

** Sources in this story have elected to remain anonymous for safety reasons.** Resident advisers were informed on July 26 by University Housing they might temporarily be rooming with their freshman residents as a last-ditch effort to combat a housing shortage caused by admissions uncertainties.  According to Deputy Associate Chancellor Allison Vance via email, all...

The post University Housing, RAs speak on UI dorm shortage appeared first on The Daily Illini.


Weeklong SEIU strike upends UI housing

As the University welcomed its largest-ever freshman class of 9,008 into a dorm shortage, the building and food service workers’ strike stretched the campus labor force even thinner. “UIUC students have reported long lines at the dining hall, moldy bread and undercooked chicken nuggets, dirty bathrooms and trash piling up across campus,” said SEIU communications...

The post Weeklong SEIU strike upends UI housing appeared first on The Daily Illini.


Roland Realty is not sorry for partying

One thousand beds and 184 properties make up Roland Realty — the popular leasing company known for its creation of students’ beloved Seniorland. Sitting on First Street, its office sees prospective tenants enter through its doors each year in hopes they will have a property passed down to them. Roland Realty has amassed a large...

The post Roland Realty is not sorry for partying appeared first on The Daily Illini.


Editorial | UI is at its carrying capacity — it’s affecting us

In ecological terms, when a population outpaces its resources, the ecosystem is at risk of collapse. In the microcosm that is the University, this very well might be the case: The student population has spiked in recent years, threatening the structural integrity of the campus community.  The factors that contribute to a thriving campus must...

The post Editorial | UI is at its carrying capacity — it’s affecting us appeared first on The Daily Illini.


Opinion | The unexpected loneliness of off-campus living

When I first moved into my apartment my sophomore year, I couldn’t help but notice a dreadful feeling of loneliness — one which I’m sure we all know but dismiss as: “That’s what adulthood is.” I’d like to push back on this notion. I am 20 years old, my rose-colored glasses are still slightly tinted...

The post Opinion | The unexpected loneliness of off-campus living appeared first on The Daily Illini.


DI Voices | You can learn to love communal living

Nearly six weeks into my junior year at the University, I’ve come to a startling realization: I no longer dislike communal living. More than that, I’ve discovered I enjoy living with three roommates in a house full of sorority sisters more than my apartment on Green Street last year. This idea that was once inconceivable...

The post DI Voices | You can learn to love communal living appeared first on The Daily Illini.