Alma College introduces Super Singles to housing

JORDAN FOX
STAFF WRITER

4/7/2025

Alma College has announced the addition of “Super Singles,” double-rooms offered as singles in Brazell and Dunning Hall. The halls offer suite-style housing, as two rooms are joined by one private bathroom.

“Dunning Hall was offline for the 2023-2024 academic year and was being used for external group housing. We are excited to bring Dunning Hall back online for the 2025-2026 academic year,” said Ben Sobczak, Assistant Director of Residence Life Operations. 

The application process for Super Singles closed on March 28, and decisions were announced two days later, on March 31. Those selected to live in Super Singles received their assignments in early April. 

To be eligible for a Super Single, students need a minimum 2.90 cumulative GPA at the time of application, be junior or senior standing at the start of the Fall 2025 semester and must have no significant judicial record.

“Super Single rooms are located in our south campus suites, which typically require more independence than traditional residence halls. A GPA requirement can serve as an indicator that students are responsible and capable of managing their time effectively without the additional support found in traditional residence halls. Our GPA requirement for Super Singles allows academically successful students to access more desirable living arrangements, which has [been] shown to motivate students to maintain strong academic standing,” said Sobczak.

In addition to those requirements, Super Singles come with an extra cost. The price of a traditional double room for the 2025-26 academic year is $4,353 per semester; the price of a Super Single is $6,853 for one semester. 

But, despite the additional cost and eligibility requirements, the new housing option seemed to be a hit for Alma College students. 

“I feel that the college adding Super Singles as a housing option is great. It allows students who haven’t been able to get single housing accommodations the opportunity to have their own space. It also just opens up the options in general for the upperclassmen,” said Kaitelyn Walker (‘26).

However, while the college is actively adding housing options, many students remain skeptical about the residency requirements. Alma’s policy states that the institution “requires students to live in residence halls or small housing units throughout their period of attendance at Alma College” save for the exceptions listed in the document. 

In other words, students do not have the option to live off campus, unlike those at other institutions. It is common for college students to seek off-campus housing as it typically saves money and opens up living options in general. However, Alma College’s choice to be a residential college is rooted in student success. 

“There is strong evidence to support that living on campus supports students’ academic success. This includes national data demonstrating that students who live on campus have higher average GPAs and are more likely to graduate on time than students who live off campus. At Alma, we believe in the power of being a residential community of scholars who are living and learning together throughout the college experience. Living on campus fosters connections to resources and each other in a way that helps students on their path to graduation and beyond,” said Sobczak. 

Though some students wish to have the option to live off campus, the residential campus is one of the many uniqueities of Alma College, contributing to the close-knit community cultivated here.