Sheraton Suites to serve as temporary dorms

by Tim Tevault
Managing Editor

Final plans are being developed for University of La Verne students to take residence in the Sheraton Suites Fairplex in the fall.

Julie Thurman-Francisco, director of housing and residential life, said the new rooms at the roughly 20 rooms at the Pomona-based hotel will take the place of the rooms at ULV's current hotel, Red Roof Inn in San Dimas.

Students began living in off-campus hotels in the fall of1999 when dormitories became overcrowded. Since then the campus has built one new dormitory but still cannot keep up with growing enrollment.

Thurman­Francisco said some of the amenities at the Sheraton include a pool, weight room, restaurant and a shuttle to places like the mall and airport.

"It's really exciting because it's closer to the university," she said. "It's a nicer hotel."

Students currently signed up to dorm at the Red Roof Inn in the Fall, however, will be staying at the Sheraton. Despite the move, the cost will stay the same. Thurman-Francisco said students were told there was a possibility they would be moved to the new hotel.

Although prices are the same this semester, Thurman­Francisco anticipates the cost for lodging at the Sheraton to go up in the future, along with the cost of regular housing at the on-campus dorms.

Thurman-Francisco also explained why ULV needs to use hotels to house students.

"We've really maximized the space on campus," she said. "We definitely need more space than we have on campus."

Eddie Timmons, general manager at the Sheraton, said ULV moving to the hotel is a "great addition to the relationship we already have."

"We are real excited," Timmons said.