Large Freshman Class Forces Double Rooms into Triples

Champagnat Hall, Freshman Residence Hall. Credit: Ava Batinelli ‘26

With over 1,340 incoming students, Marist College welcomed one of the largest freshman classes for the fall 2023 semester. With the abundant number of incoming students, Marist Housing had to convert double-occupancy rooms into triple-occupancy rooms. 

“Off the top of my head, I’m not sure what floors have triples, but I do know that at the beginning of the semester, we had many more triples than now,” said Marian Hall resident director Jason Bingay.

The rooms that house three students are the exact same size as those intended for two. Because of the lack of space, one bed is bunked on top of another, and the other is lofted. 

“Living in a triple isn’t bad, but it was really difficult when it was hot out because our body heat made the room very stuffy,” said Aissa Ellis ‘27, who lives in a Champagnat triple. Freshman residence halls at Marist do not feature in room air conditioning.

Sophia Seriale ‘26, lived in Leo Hall her freshman year and was shocked to hear that they put more than two students in a dorm room.

Leo Hall, Freshman Residence Hall. Credit: Ava Battinelli ‘26

“I could not imagine living in a triple,” said Seriale. “Even with just one roommate, our room heated up really hot in the early months of the first semester.”

Still, Ellis did not see the lack of air conditioning as a deal breaker. Since she gets along with her roommates, they have made the limited space work.

“Other than the heat, all three of us get along really well,” said Ellis. “Space sometimes becomes a bit of an issue, but since we all get along, it’s really easy to manage.”

Bingay has worked with students to discuss living in such a small space and to ensure all roommates have equal amounts of space. One of his suggestions was that one student could use the dresser for half of the semester, and then they could switch. 

“We’ve communicated with students about working with each other to break up the space,” said Bingay. “So far, they have been pretty receptive to working with each other. I know some students have gotten plastic tubs for storage, which have been helpful.”