Extended stay

Life is “suite” for the students being housed in two local hotels, a move necessitated by the yearlong closure of Cromwell Hall for renovations and upgrades.

Words by TCNJ's editorial staff

Last year, in an effort to mitigate an on-campus bed shortage caused by Cromwell Hall’s closure for needed upgrades and renovations, the College contracted with two area hotels to provide overflow housing for students.

In August, the 100 students who signed up to live the “suite life” for one year checked into The Element by Westin and The Courtyard Marriott. The hotels are located about three miles from campus in Ewing.

The students, each of whom requested placement in the hotels, are paying $150 more per semester than their counterparts in campus dorms, said Ryan Farnkopf ’03, director of housing operations for the College. In return they receive shuttle service to and from campus, a campus-parking permit, and the option of purchasing a less-expensive meal plan (since some hotel suites have kitchens). They also have wireless Internet access in their rooms, en suite bathrooms, access to hotel amenities, and once-a-week maid service.

“That’s a big plus, because I’m a messy person,” joked Element resident Kirpa Chohan ’13 about the cleaning service.

Chohan said several factors led to her deciding to live in the hotels. She wanted to move off campus, but also enjoyed being a community adviser; she could do both in one of the hotels. Plus, “Both hotels looked really nice.” And she figured this would likely be her only opportunity to live in a hotel for an entire year.

Asked earlier this semester if she was happy with her decision, she had this to say: “There’s a pool, there’s a gym, the rooms are really big, I’ve got a queen bed that’s more comfortable than my bed at home. I have a kitchen. Who wouldn’t want to live here?”

Like on-campus residents, the hotel students supply their own sheets and towels and must vacate their rooms during extended breaks when TCNJ dorms are closed (although the hotels agreed not to rent the students’ rooms during those periods).

“Those were some of the things we negotiated to make the deal as cost-effective as possible for the students,” Farnkopf explained. He added that there have been some “operational challenges,” as was expected, but for the most part things have been running smoothly.

“Students…have reported some minor inconveniences, but at the end of the day they say it’s worth it for access to the [hotels’] amenities,” he said.

The renovations to Cromwell Hall include a roof replacement; a complete plumbing system upgrade, including new bathrooms in each suite; new interior finishes in the lounges and multipurpose room; and upgrades to the building’s mechanical and electrical systems, William Rudeau, director of campus construction, said. The work is scheduled to be completed by summer 2013, allowing students to move back in for the fall 2013 semester.