![\"\"](\"http:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/IMG_9868.jpg\" "\\"IMG_9868\\"")
<\/a>Susan Szpyrka, senior associate vice chancellor, Administration and Finance, in coordination with Ralph Giese, director, Residence Life and Housing, and other UCCS housing leaders, led the placement of 140 students and eight residential housing staff members at Timberline Village at Sunset Creek, 5400 N. Nevada Ave.<\/p>\nThe move comes as UCCS works to build additional on-campus space for 200 students to live. For several years, demand for UCCS student housing has exceeded capacity. A $17 million expansion project is underway and is expected to be completed in time for the fall 2013 semester.<\/p>\n
\u201cContracting for space at Sunset Creek was the best option for UCCS to serve an immediate need,\u201d Szpyrka said. \u201cA large freshman class was a good problem\u00a0but one that\u00a0demanded an immediate solution in terms of housing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sunset Creek is under new ownership and many apartments\u00a0are recently renovated, Szpyrka said. The complex is close enough to campus for services such as an extension of the campus shuttle bus system as well as to allow student residents to feel connected. The proximity of the complex to shopping and restaurants in the University Village Center makes the location more attractive. In marketing materials, Timberline Village is billed as \u201cThe Best on-campus Experience Off-campus.\u201d<\/p>\n
For many years, UCCS students have rented individual apartments at Sunset Creek independent of the university. However, by leasing two buildings in their entirety, UCCS Student Housing officials are able to enforce the student code of conduct and build a university-based learning community. \u00a0Conduct policies will be enforced by on-site resident assistants who are also responsible for creating programs that connect residents with each other and with campus. An agreement with the City of Colorado Springs allows campus police officers to patrol the complex and to enforce state and municipal laws.<\/p>\n
Sunset Creek\u2019s owners offered incentives for existing residents to move from their apartments to make way for the university students. Those incentives included cash or help with moving to another apartment.<\/p>\n
For more information about Timberline Village at Sunset Creek, visit \u00a0http:\/\/www.uccs.edu\/residence\/current-resident\/about-housing\/about-timberline-village.html<\/a><\/p>\n Photos by Philip Denman<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/a>By Aug. 14, 140 students were moved into the apartments. More than half are new students to UCCS who applied for university housing after April. Combining new students with upper-level students as well as student-athletes is a move that housing officials believe will help new students acclimate. Residents will be served by an hourly campus shuttle, and have choices of campus meal plans as well as a basic furniture package with all utilities included in a $4,150-per semester package.<\/p>\n