On-campus housing contract offers were e-mailed to students Jan. 23. Now those students without contracts are contemplating supplemental housing or off-campus apartments.

This year, 9,390 students participated in the online contract request process that allows students to request housing in dorms, suites and Nittany Apartments.

Of the students who requested a contract, 1,058 were offered supplemental housing for the 2003-04 academic year, said Kathy Krinks, assistant director an the Office of Housing.

No one who applied for a housing contract was completely denied on-campus housing, said Ryan Morgan, assistant manager in the Office of Housing.

"Everyone who requested a contract at least got some sort of offer," Morgan said.

Students who received permanent housing contracts have the opportunity to be placed into another lottery for a suite or space in Nittany Apartments. While suites are distributed randomly, apartments are based on semester standing. Krinks said students who received supplemental housing offers still have an opportunity to receive a permanent room.

"Their initial assignment will be supplemental, but students who have completed the online contract will have the opportunity to move up to regular housing before anyone else," Krinks said.

Morgan said all of the offers for regular dorm rooms have been e-mailed. The chances of those offered supplemental housing to receive permanent rooms at the beginning of the fall semester are "not very good," he added.

The date of the contract notification has left some students upset because it can be difficult to find an apartment this late in the season. James Marin (freshman-division of undergraduate studies) has not decided whether to live in supplemental housing or start searching for an off-campus apartment.

Marin is currently living on campus with a roommate in a "small double," a room meant for one person, but has not been offered a contract for next fall.

"It is upsetting after having such a small room this year and then not receiving an offer for permanent housing next year," Marin said.

This is the third year Penn State is using the Web for contract requests, and the students are selected to receive offers by a lottery system.

Students who wish to sell contracts may run into some difficulty, since buying a contract does not guarantee a permanent room, only supplemental housing.

A waiting list will be posted soon so students can have an open contract exchange, Morgan said.

Housing is working to have more available rooms in the future. Eastview Terrace, an 800-room dormitory, is set for completion in fall 2004, Morgan said. The building will offer single rooms with bathrooms and will be located next to South Halls.