Although the Graduate Student Association plans to request additional family housing, University administrators say no immediate plans exist for that type of construction.

"There is nothing in the current master plan for additional housing," said William McKinnon, assistant vice president for business, housing and food services.

At last week's meeting, GSA decided to draft a letter to either McKinnon or Donald Arndt, director of Housing and Food Services, detailing its concerns about the lack of family housing for University graduates.

Currently, Graduate Circle, located east of campus past University Drive, and Eastview Terrace, located southeast of campus near College Avenue, are the only University-sponsored housing for graduates and their families.

"I'm not optimistic," said GSA President Ken Martin of possible construction. "The argument I'm getting is it would be too expensive to build more housing."

"I don't think it would cost any less than the private sector," McKinnon said.

GSA Administrative Vice President Frank Arlinghaus said the waiting list for Graduate Circle and Eastview Terrace is about 18 months.

GSA only hears sporadic information about the housing problem, Arlinghaus said, because students with families do not have time for involvement in student government.

Hanwen Huang (graduate-entomology), who is married with one child, said his one-bedroom apartment in Graduate Circle is big enough but "the price is a little high."

Another student said he applied in October 1988 for a one-bedroom apartment in Eastview Terrace for the following fall.

"I wasn't expecting to get it," said Verne Leininger (graduate-mathematics) because as of April 1989 about 60 people were ahead of him on the waiting list.

William Mulberger, manager of the assignment office for campus residences, said the waiting list is "at least a year," but "is somewhat misleading."

"When students sign leases downtown, they don't tell us to take them off the list," he said.

Mulberger said rates for Graduate Circle total $285 for one bedroom and $320 for two bedrooms, including all utilities except telephone. Eastview Terrace rates are $210 for one bedroom and $240 for two bedrooms, utilities excluded.

A previous University policy stated that students with school-aged children were not allowed to live on campus.

"In the past, this kept demand down," Arlinghaus said.

Martin said the turnover rate of these apartments has been cut in half since evicting students for this reason is no longer possible.

Although she applied when she learned she was pregnant, Yao Chin Ho and her husband did not move to their two-bedroom apartment until four months after their child was born. Ho said she expects to live here for about two more years while her husband finishes his degree in mining engineering.

Ho said although the rent is cheaper than downtown apartments, the unit is "too small" and sounds from adjoining residences are heard through the walls.

The University told graduate students that downtown is dealing with the housing problem, said Arlinghaus, but added that downtown residences are not conducive to raising a family.

Peggy Jenkins (graduate-accounting), a resident of Graduate Circle for a year-and-a-half, said her one-bedroom apartment is "incredibly small."

"I absolutely hate it," she said. "You can hear noises through the hall and the heat has only one level -- high."

Families living in one-bedroom apartments with more than three members are required to move, Martin said, but no priority is given to these students.

"There's just not enough housing," he said.