Two years ago there was a relatively even balance between students and housing.  Now, as we approach Fall 2009, there will be 822 additional students, and 3,292 additional bedrooms for students.  Woah --- did you catch that?  An extra 2,470 bedrooms!?!

I've written about it before....

• The real reasons why so much student housing is being built for JMU students...  Jun 09
• Understanding the Over-Supply of JMU Student Housing  Mar 09
• JMU Student Housing Supply & Demand Analysis  Feb 09

.... but let me try to clarify a bit more, since the numbers changed just last week.

The Students
Enrollment Projections Data Source: http://www.jmu.edu/instresrch/project.shtml

• The total on-campus enrollment for Fall 2007 was 17,428.
• The total on-campus enrollment for Fall 2009 is projected to be 18,250.
• Of note, prior JMU enrollment projections showed that there were to be 885 new students between 2007 and 2008.  In the end, there were only 536.
• Of SIGNIFICANT note, prior JMU enrollment projections showed that there were to be 1,500 new students between 2007 and 2009.  But approximately a week ago, these enrollment projections were amended by JMU, with current projections now showing an increase of 822 instead of 1,500.  Enrollment projections have been significantly scaled back over the next five years because JMU is not receiving enough funding from the state to be able to grow their faculty, staff, campus and degree programs to meet their prior enrollment projections.

The Housing
The following new housing projects (with the corresponding number of "beds") all make up the 3,292 new "beds" that will exist as of August 2009.

• JMU Residence Hall (422)
• Charleston Townes (172) --- with 356 more to come
• Sunchase (96)
• North 38 (816)
• Campus View (192) --- with 476 more to come
• 865 East (274)
• Copper Beach (1,220)
• Urban Exchange (100)

The Impact
Only time will tell what the impact will be of this over supply of student housing.  So far, it has translated into many lease incentives for students, and higher than expected vacancy rates for many apartment complexes. Many student housing developers say that the newest complexes in the closest proximity to a college campus will be the most successful -- so far this seems to be playing itself out here in Harrisonburg, as many new complexes are doing quite well, and some older complexes are having difficulties leasing.