Sites considered for student housing

YSU is looking for alternative housing for about 150 students for one year.
By RON COLE
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Two closed hospitals are among four sites Youngstown State University is considering to convert into temporary student housing next fall.
YSU officials have talked to the owners of the former Youngstown Osteopathic Hospital and the old Southside Hospital, now Oakhill Renaissance Place, about opening parts of the facilities to students when fall semester begins in August 2002.
The other two possible sites are Stambaugh Apartments on the corner of Park and Fifth avenues near campus and the Woods of Liberty/Monticello Apartments in Liberty Township, housing director Jack Fahey told YSU trustees Tuesday.
Fahey said YSU hopes to select one of the off-campus sites to house about 150 students for the 2002-03 academic year while a new 400-student, $14 million apartment complex is being completed on campus.
Delayed: The campus apartments initially were to be open by fall semester 2002, but have been delayed to fall 2003.
So, rather than turn away potential residential students for next fall, YSU is looking for one-year alternative housing for about 150 students, Fahey said. Many of those students then may flow into the new apartment complex when it opens in fall 2003, he said.
"I think it is an excellent idea to use the hospitals that have been closed," Trustee H.S. Wang said.
Fahey said shuttle service could be provided for students living in the off-campus housing. He also said the off-campus sites would need to be secure and attractive.