Many students have complained about the high rent and prices of on-campus and off-campus housing, and the University of Maryland Department of Resident Life has listened. With Maryland being on the more expensive side when it comes to housing, it’s no wonder that many students have struggled with the high cost. After Darryll Pines deliberated with the Department of Resident Life regarding this issue, an answer to those concerns was announced.

Starting in the Spring 2025 semester and onwards, students may now reside in special military-style barracks at around three-fourths the cost of a standard double dorm with air conditioning. This will be a cost-effective option for students struggling financially.

Military-style barracks will be able to house 40 – 80 students in one unit, contain a storage unit under the bunk, and all the usual furniture a student can expect in a regular dorm, minus the privacy. Barracks will offer male-only units, female-only units, and mixed units to accommodate students of all sorts of backgrounds. The cost is estimated to start at $6,275, yet as housing prices continue to rise, the cost may rise as well in the future.

“We understand that many students struggle to keep up with the rising cost, so instead of lowering costs, we have decided to open a new option for prospective and current students,” the Department of Resident Life commented. “Not only will this be a more cost-effective option for students, but it will stop students from hiding in their dorms like a coward and force them to actually interact and socialize with their barracks-mates. This will be an improvement for many student’s non-existent social life.”

While unpopular with some students, mainly lonely STEM majors, many others have shown their agreement with the new housing options. “Yeah, it’ll be great for many of us,” said one student we interviewed, Diego Diaz, “Instead of being thirty thousand dollars in debt this year alone, I’ll be only twenty-four thousand dollars in debt!” He commented he is expected to move into a mixed unit with his girlfriend the following semester.

ResLife commented that they are also looking forward to installing open communal showers in these barracks to cut down on the cost of cleaning staff. With this new housing option, many students will be glad for a lesser impact on their long-term financial burden. And for those who may still consider the cost too high for them, the Department of Resident Life has confirmed there will be units without AC.

Image Credits: Amelia Nur