Although Cambridge House no longer has maids or room service, the residence hall still offers students a bit of hotel luxury unavailable elsewhere on campus.
- Jessica Boullion
- LSA sophomore Ed Kramkowski stands outside his double room in Cambridge House. Room and board in Cambridge doubles cost between $8,744 and $9,866 per school year. (ALLISON GHAMAN/Daily)
The hall’s 110 students enjoy private bathrooms and carpeting.
That’s why Cambridge House, attached to the Michigan Union and West Quad, is the most expensive residence hall on campus, University Housing spokesman Alan Levy said.
For the first 60 years of its existence, Cambridge House was part of the Michigan Union Hotel, Levy. said.
After the hotel closed in 1979 the University decided to turn the building into a residence hall.
Room and board in a deluxe single at Cambridge cost $10,692.00 this past school year, while a smaller traditional single cost $10,332.
The cheapest residence hall is Fletcher Hall. Room and board at the dorm cost $6,442 for students living in triple rooms this year.
Although next year’s rates for next year will not be submitted to the University Board of Regents until next month, a proposal originally slated for consideration at last week’s regents meeting would have increased the price of room and board in Cambridge House by more than $400 per year.
Freshmen are currently restricted from living in Cambridge House. Starting this year, students from all residence halls on campus were given equal opportunity to live in the dorm. West Quad residents were previously given priority.
College of Engineering sophomore Michael Tobin lives in a deluxe single room in Cambridge. Although he plans to move off-campus next year, he said he has enjoyed living in Cambridge because of his ample space and private bathroom.
“It’s nice because you don’t have to walk down the hall when you want to take a shower,” he said.
LSA sophomore Ed Kramkowskisaid he likes living in his double room in Cambridge because of the hall’s location. Last year, he lived in Baits Hall on North Campus, which was cheaper but more isolated.
Kramkowski said Cambridge Hall is also quieter than Baits was.
The hallways in Cambridge House were nearly silent yesterday afternoon. Few students left their doors open. Tobin said living in Cambridge has drawbacks, though he enjoys the hall’s privacy and quiet atmosphere.
“You don’t see your hallmates that much,” Tobin said. “If you’re looking to become best friends with the kids that live on your hall, you probably shouldn’t live here.”
ALLISON PINCUS