<p>A few years ago, a University of Georgia student such as freshman David Tim may have moved to an apartment after a year in the dorms.</p><p>But increasingly, students like Tim are choosing to stay in UGA residence halls for their second, third and even fourth years.</p><p>More than 2,000 current students are signed up for available on-campus spaces for next year. And there is a long waiting list for other students hoping to return to residence halls, said J. Shay Davis, director of residence hall administrative operations.</p><p>The large number of students returning to dorms came as somewhat of a surprise to university officials, and it's forced off-campus apartment complexes to vie harder to attract fewer students.</p><p>"This initial high demand is not something I've seen before," Davis said. "Having such a lengthy waiting list for current students is very unusual for us."</p><p>Residence halls were packed last fall and stayed full this past spring, with more than 98 percent of the 6,850 on-campus beds occupied, said Jim Day, director of UGA Housing. In addition to returning residents, first-year students also are now required to spend their entire freshman in on-campus housing.</p><p>Students like Tim cite a combination of convenience, attractive accommodations and a community atmosphere as their impetus for staying on campus.</p><p>"It's less of a hassle," said Tim, who lives in Myers Hall and works as a desk assistant there. "If all of my friends were living off (campus), I probably would, but even if half were, it'd be worth it to stay."</p><p>Meanwhile, apartment complexes are struggling to compete with the dorm demand. An Athens Apartment Association survey showed a 13 percent vacancy rate for apartments in 2003 _ 4 percent higher than the previous year.</p><p>Jessica Peters said her complex, River Club Apartments recently added a tanning facility to attract students. "You can tell the apartments are trying to keep up," said Peters, a senior from Naperville, Ill.</p><p>In the past, apartment complexes offered deals in the middle of the year. This year, deals started on Day One, as apartment managers tried to attract students at the beginning of the school year, said Redmond, property manager for University Commons apartments.</p><p>"Everyone has discounted rent this year," she said, and to lure residents, managers have to offer more _ flexible lease terms, gym memberships, free computer labs.</p><p>"We are all having to be more and more creative each year," Redmond said.</p><p>___</p><p>HASH(0x2866464)</p>
