More than 6,000 students searched for a place they can call home next year at this weekend's Housing Fair.

Charlene Harrison, the director of the Campus Life Assistance Center/Off-Campus Programs Office, said, "It was very successful . . . we've had more people through the doors this year than ever before."

Attendance at the fair -- held Friday and Saturday -- exceeded her expectations, she said, attributing this partially to the increased participation of other campuses in the fair.

The basic purpose of this weekend's fair was to help students to wisely assess their on- and off-campus housing opportunities, she said.

Realtors generally look forward to participating in the fair, Harrison said. It gives them an opportunity to show a presence in the community, meet potential customers and present the various housing services they offer, she added.

Patti Davidson, a representative from VMS Realty, said many students are introduced to the company's apartments through the Housing Fair.

"I think it's a wonderful idea. (Students) get to do all their shopping in one day," she said.

Sherri Rutolo, president of the Organization for Town Independent Students, one of five sponsors of the event, said the event was a success and the student turnout was impressive.

OTIS held three bus tours of downtown apartment complexes on Saturday, Rutolo said. Although the reaction of the students who took the tour was positive, the buses were not filled as in past years, she added.

While OTIS will continue to guide tours in the future, Rutolo said, it may re-evaluate the tour schedule. Sparse crowds on the 10 a.m. tour were attributed to the fact that students from Commonwealth campuses were still arriving after that time, she said.

Rebecca McIlvaine (graduate-speech communication), who was at the fair searching for an apartment, said the realtors provided helpful information.

"You also get to talk to the realtors. You get a feel as to who the realtors are," she said.

Kathy Kurtz (junior-general arts) was hoping to find an apartment close to campus at the fair.

However, she said the fair provided a good opportunity for small realtors to come in and talk to students about their alternate housing services.