Space -- to find it anywhere is the goal of many college students living in the dorms. They cram, jam and slam any and all things -- but the one key way to find it is with a loft.

Steve Florio (freshman-engineering) liked the idea of a loft and decided to get one. Instead of going to any of the various companies that advertise on campus, he opted to build his own.

At almost half the cost, he said he bought the necessary items and assembled the wooden frames at home. When he returned to his room, he simply screwed it all together and in no time, his room space increased. It is not as sturdy as a bought or rented loft, but it works, he said.

"It makes life more convenient," Florio said. Now that his loft is up, he has more room and new-found storage space in shelves underneath his elevated bed.

Many loft-owning students seem to echo Florio's statement. But most students don't take the initiative to build their own because there is more to a loft than meets the eye.

A half-dozen 2-by-4s can't always be fastened together and expected to live happily ever after. The University has specific guidelines for loft construction, size and placement in various dorms on campus.

The Office of Housing and Food Service Operations prints out a two-page set of "Residence Hall Double Deck Bed and Loft Regulations." It covers everything from the surface of the wood, which must be smooth and free from splinter hazards, to the stipulation that a bed or loft may not be wedged on a desk or wall for support.

A loft owner must also keep in mind that, in accordance with the sheet, the loft must not damage the wall, floor tile or woodwork. Damage can occur during construction and disassembly.

According to the sheet, all loft owners should see their area supervisor to update any changes in the rules and regulations.

If dorm residents are not as constructive as Florio, another option available to them is to buy a loft. Students can do so through any number of companies and businesses both near and far. Of these, Room Doctor, 274 Reese Road, is a local option.

"We have a plethora of loft designs," said Tom Meade, president of Collegiate Furnishings Inc. Collegiate Furnishings manufactures its own lofts and sells them through Room Doctor.

But it is possible for someone to obtain a loft without actually buying or building one. Brad Shutzberg (sophomore-chemical engineering) rents his loft for $20 a semester. He still enjoys all the benefits of having a loft, even though it's not his.

"It gives you a place to hang your clothing after washing," Shutzberg said. "I also know a couple of guys who do pull-ups on their lofts. It seems their opinion was, 'To hell with a Nordic Flex -- get a loft.' "