Students looking for more privacy while living on campus will have another living option starting next fall.

Eastview Terrace, the new residence area of 811 single rooms in seven buildings, is scheduled to open for occupancy next fall.

"For many years now we have had requests for more single rooms on campus," said Lynn Dubois, associate director of Housing. "With the new rooms, we will now be able to accommodate many of these demands."

Each of the rooms will have air conditioning and a personal bathroom, complete with a shower, sink and toilet.

"I've been in the dorms for three years now, and I really like the atmosphere," Matt Garrison (junior-aerospace engineering) said. "I am looking forward to having my own bathroom and showering without shoes."

From midnight on Oct. 13 through noon on Nov. 3, students who will be juniors or seniors next year and currently live on campus can request a housing contract for Eastview Terrace. The Office of Housing will begin to make contract offers on Nov. 5.

"If a student requests a contract and does not get one, they can choose to go from there," Dubois said. "There will be a waitlist available for students who did not get a contract, and if they still want to live on campus, they can request a regular housing contract beginning Dec. 8."

Each of the buildings will be divided into single-gender and coed houses, with each house consisting of between eight and 16 student rooms and a communal study/social space.

"For me, it would be nice to have a single room to myself," Ethan Jordan (sophomore-astronomy and astrophysics) said. "I could easily come and go as I please without having to worry about disturbing my roommate."

While the cost of the new rooms will be more than the standard double room, the Board of Trustees has yet to confirm a set price.

"I know the Eastview rooms will cost more, but I think they're worth it," Garrison said. "I want my own room; I will just be a little broke."

Construction began last spring on the seven new residence buildings between McKean and Bigler Roads on the southeast side of campus.

"Right now, some of the buildings are further along than others," said Sandy Harpster, senior associate director of Housing. "There is no reason to believe that they will not be ready for move-in next year."

A lot depends on the winter weather as to when exactly the dorms will be ready, but construction is on schedule now, Harpster said.

The buildings were named after distinguished Penn State faculty members at a recent Board of Trustees meeting held on Sept. 19.