A year after 1,200 students were denied housing contracts by Penn State, every single student who requested housing was granted exactly that -- well, almost.

This year, 700 student were offered supplemental contracts for next year, meaning they will share a converted study lounge with multiple other students.

Congratulations may be in order for Penn State for recovering from last year's housing crisis, but perhaps the students are to thank as well.

Penn State Housing and Food Services is currently investigating the fact that less students accepted their contracts this year. After many students had to scramble last year to find downtown housing, students have most likely learned to search earlier.

If these students secured an apartment or house for the coming fall, that would explain why more contracts were turned down.

Although those students who signed leases early were wise to do so, those who did not could have some upcoming trouble.

A.W. & Sons' Web site says Alexander Court, Beaver Hill, Cedarbrook, The Diplomat and Garner Court are all fully rented for next year.

More students accepted to University Park and more people living off campus means that more students are going to have to live farther away from campus next year.

Penn State should keep an eye on how many students will be driving to campus and where students are living. Although this year turned out rather nicely for all but 700 students, the distance could become a problem in the future.

If necessary, perhaps the university could make more parking available close to campus for the daily commuters.

Then, Penn State should consider more dormitories to deal with the enlarging class sizes. Then every student could be guaranteed an actual bedroom, rather than a study lounge.

In the meantime, students should be checking out apartments and talking to friends about subletting after fall semester so they can get out of supplemental.

The Penn State housing crisis seems to be in remission. Let's just make sure it stays that way.