As college campuses across the Triangle welcome students and their families, North Carolina Central University (NCCU) stands out as the fastest-growing school in the UNC System. The university is busy preparing for the fall semester and has made notable improvements to its housing situation.
These changes come after a significant protest in April over housing quality and availability, which led to the arrest of four people. In response, university leaders like Angela Coleman, vice chancellor of student affairs, have revised policies. Previously, all first-year students were required to live on campus, but now even new sophomores have the option to live off campus.
Coleman explains that students who confirmed their enrollment by the deadline were guaranteed housing. However, those who missed it ended up on a waiting list. As of August 14, 89 first-year students were waiting for housing, down from 168 last month. “This year’s waitlist is smaller than last year’s,” says Stephen Fusi, NCCU’s chief brand officer.
A key point of pride for NCCU is that 38% of its students live on campus, compared to the UNC System average of 29%. This year, the university is focused on helping students find housing, especially those continuing their studies.
In light of limited campus housing, Coleman and her team have been proactive in connecting with apartment managers in the Durham area. “We’re committed to helping students find the right housing to support their academic journey,” Coleman states. The university is also providing webinars for students and parents on navigating off-campus options and financial aid.
Recognizing that they can’t house every student, NCCU has partnered with an apartment-finding service called NCCU College Pads, offering listings, sublease options, and roommate matching specifically for NCCU students.
This summer, the university invested over $2.9 million in updating residence halls, including better air conditioning and modernized systems. Coleman adds that there’s an additional $100 million allocated in the NC Senate budget for further infrastructure improvements at NCCU.
The housing challenges extend beyond NCCU, affecting the entire Durham community. Coleman is collaborating with Durham Tech, Duke University, and local officials to pursue better housing solutions for everyone.
