WITH VIDEO Close Quarters: Some students have less space in residence halls than inmates in prison

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Students who live on campus might find roomier living arrangements if they get brought in to Isabella County Jail over the weekend.

Central Michigan University students living in Carey, Cobb, Wheeler and Troutman halls have less space than many prison inmates in Michigan. The state’s jail standards mandate that inmates be given at least 70 square feet of space each. There are no laws mandating residence hall room size.

Students who live in the older Towers halls receive 71 square feet and 25 square inches per person, whereas 79 percent of those incarcerated at Isabella County Jail are allotted 72 square feet each.

“The people in the old area receive 52 square feet because the older cells were built before the standard was set,” said Lt. Tom Recker, Isabella County Jail administrator.  “The newer area was built for 72 square feet per person.”

Students who live in the older Towers halls receive 71 square feet and 25 square inches per person, whereas 79 percent of those incarcerated at Isabella County Jail are allotted 72 square feet each.

Students living in Campbell, Kesseler and Kulhavi halls inhabit 84 square feet and 5 square inches per person.

“The square footage that we do have for our students on average is greater than most public schools in Michigan,” said Bill O’Dell, Troutman and Cobb residence hall director.

Michigan State University’s smallest dorms provide 60 square feet per person, according to its housing website.

At Grand Valley State University, freshmen residence halls are typically larger with 81 square feet and 2 square inches each. They only have one room, compared to CMU’s suite style rooms.

“The state requires an inmate to have more space than a student,” Recker said.

Howell freshman and Towers resident Hannah Kremhelmer said she was bothered that residents in the smaller rooms have to pay the same price as students who live in larger rooms.

“That’s ridiculous,” Kremhelmer said. “Since we suffer from a lack of comfort and space, we shouldn’t have to pay as much as the people who have much more room.”

Lapeer freshman Lisa Dinsmore said she understands the university’s policy.

“It does make me mad that we pay the same amount because they have so much more privacy and alone space,” Dinsmore said. “But at the same time, I can understand because I think everyone would want to get into these dorms if they were cheaper and then people who didn’t care would end up needing to pay more.”

John Fisher, associate vice president of residences and auxiliary services, said the administration is considering changes to fix these issues, but not immediately.

“We never had a difference of price in dorms until the new suites were built, the pricing has always been the same in all of the other halls because you have at least one other roommate per bedroom in them,” Fisher said.

He said there has been some talk over the years about reducing cost and/or occupancy of the towers.

“I think the institution will pursue reducing the occupancy in the towers as a long-range goal,” Fisher said. “Instead of four, they could hold three students each or ideally, maybe even two.”

Kremhelmer was shocked that her space was less than an inmate.

“That’s insane,” Kremhelmer said. “It’s good that I like the people I live with.”