With just over a month until the end of the spring 2022 semester, returning students must decide where they will live in the fall. There are a number of choices with varying accommodations, which range in cost depending on availability.
Margaret Nance and Richardson Hall are the two lower-cost dormitories on campus. Margaret Nance is an all-female residence located at the center of campus, and Richardson is a coed dorm on the north side near the science buildings.
Potential residents for either residence hall may choose a private room for $3,749 a semester or a double room for $2,929 a semester. Occupants have access to study lounges and hangout areas, as well as communal kitchens and bathrooms.
Lee Wicker, Phelps, and Thomson Hall all consist of private and double suite-style rooms for $3,584 and $3,011, respectively. They are also equipped with hall kitchens, study rooms and elevators. Thomson is connected to the Eagle Eatery. Phelps Hall has a 24-hour computer lab and wheelchair–accessible spaces.
Oakley Thompson, a second–year student who has lived in both Lee Wicker and Richardson Hall, said that they prefer hall–style over suite–style.
“In Richardson, I kind of have a different perspective than a regular resident because I am an RA, but there is a very increased sense of community because we share literally everything,” Thompson said. “Winthrop is also generally cheaper than the cheapest Rock Hill apartments you can get, but if it were just down to the amenities, then I would live in an apartment.”
All on-campus rooms have microwaves, MicroFridges and separate laundry facilities, except for Roddey Hall and Courtyard, which are apartment–style.
Roddey is the less expensive choice of apartment layouts. Winthrop’s website currently lists the hall’s double rooms at $1,375 for a two–bedroom, one–bath, or $2,193 for a one–bedroom, one-bath.
Though it is not set up for cooking, it does come with private bedrooms and bathrooms, a full–size fridge and furniture for each room. However, it lacks the study rooms and shared kitchens other buildings have.
Courtyard is the second apartment–style residence hall. Because it serves as the honors college, it has a meeting room, computer lab and its own parking lot. Apartments come with private bedrooms and bathrooms, an in-house washer and dryer unit, a dishwasher, a pantry and a full-size refrigerator with an ice maker. Each hall floor has a kitchen with a stove and oven.
Students living in Courtyard have a choice between a four–bedroom, two–bath suite for $3,548; a two–bedroom, one–bath suite for $4,035; or a two–bedroom, two–bath suite for $4,188.
Those who find Courtyard’s features particularly appealing are unlikely to find a similar setup without going off-campus.
Walk2Campus, The Nest at University Center and the Wesley House are all potential alternatives for commuting students.
CampusWalk, owned by Walk2Campus, is located at 610 Rose Street — a three–minute walk to the university.
The apartment complex gives residents the choice between a studio or a suite with two bathrooms and up to four bedrooms. Prices are listed monthly and start at $1,050, decreasing incrementally as the number of rooms increases.
Units are fully furnished and include an on-site washer and dryer, a full–size kitchen, garbage disposal, central air conditioning and a sprinkler system.
According to current CampusWalk resident Jessica Taylor, the residence offers financial aid to help with rent. She also says that all of the apartments have four bedrooms, and the ones not in use are kept locked.
As of March 30, there is only one four-person room in CampusWalk available for rent on the Walk2Campus website.
The Nest does not offer pricing until an application is submitted, though two–, three–, and four–bedroom units are advertised.
Private bathrooms are attached to each bedroom. The living space has a full kitchen with “modern appliances and finishes,” as well as a number of other communal features, such as a pool and two fitness centers.
Lilyann Kanipe, a junior who lives at The Nest, said that though there is limited parking space, she does “really enjoy” living there.
“[I] am super happy I got to experience this as I know I won’t get much better options for the amount that I pay now if I live somewhere else,” she said.
The Nest is fully booked for the fall semester. However, ads for subleases can be found in Winthrop University student–led Facebook groups.
Both The Nest and Walk2Campus are pet-friendly, while the Wesley House only allows pets on a situational basis.
The Wesley House is maintained and sponsored by the Winthrop Wesley Foundation, the United Methodist campus ministry across the street from the Rutledge Building.
The house has a full kitchen with appliances, a washer and dryer, high-speed internet, two living rooms and three private bedrooms. The rent currently sits at $425 a month, including utilities, though the application process and rent may change when a new apartment manager takes over in the fall.
Jack Shelton, a student who has lived at the Wesley House for the past two academic years, said the house is not accessible to disabled people and has mold and temperature issues.
Shelton also said they would recommend the Wesley House for its “cheap rent, unique layout, and LGBTQ+ friendly environment.”
The Wesley House is full for the summer, but further inquiries can be sent via email to winthropwesley@gmail.com.
