The freeze put on incoming SF students has left on-campus housing rooms vacant.

An email was sent out to all students on Jan. 26 informing them that there was a move-in special for new housing applicants for spring 2010.

"At this moment we are about 90 percent full which is lower than in past spring semesters," Associate Director for University Housing Philippe Cumia, said.

The move-in special for new housing applicants is running from Jan. 26 until April 30, and any student who applies will get their $55 housing application free credited to their next fee schedule payment.

On-campus housing is usually less crowded in spring semesters compared to the fall. The population in the dorms depends on the University's enrollment for that semester.

Kevin Walczak, a freshman who lives in Mary Park Hall, has seen quite a few changes this semester when it comes to students taking advantage of the open rooms available.

"At least four new people have moved in on my floor alone," Walczak said, "Within a few days they were all settled in."

According to Cumia, extra room this semester "is in part due to the Chancellor's Office's request that the University not accept any admission applications this spring semester."

The fewer number of students in the dorms has led to a calm atmosphere in on-campus housing. According to Walczak, the vibe is different from when he moved into Mark Park last fall.

On-campus housing gives students benfits that others who live off-campus cannot achieve such as saving money on transportation to and from school, food plans, and the opportunity of meeting new people.

"We are encouraging students to move on campus because it is a more valuable experience than living off-campus," Cumia said.

A lot of students typically wait on a long waitlist to get accepted in to one of the dorms that house two to a room.

"This semester there was no waiting list. In fall 2009, we had a waiting list of about 400, of which more than half got housing spaces," Cumia said.

Katrina Thompson, a sophomore in Mary Park Hall on an all-girls floor, noticed a change as well this semester.

"There were a lot of roommate changes for people on my floor. My floor is full now, which means more new people to get to know," Thompson said.

"We're provided with everything here. It's so much fun living on campus," Walczak said.

Sophomore Kate Bocchicchio lives in Parkmerced with five other girls in a 2-bedroom, 2-bath townhouse.

"I was on the waiting list for the dorms in fall and couldn't get in so I signed a nine month lease with Parkmerced that I can't get out of. I wish I could have taken this opportunity to live on campus now that they have room," Bocchicchio said.

Although the move-in special is attracting some students Cumia said they would probably not fill all the rooms by the end of this semester.