Video: The first nine weeks of residential life
Texas A&M University-San Antonio welcomed approximately 280 undergraduate students to Esperanza Hall, the university’s first privatized dorm run by American Campus Communities (ACC). The private company with headquarters located in Austin, Texas is a large developer, owner, and manager of high-quality student housing communities.
In this video, we asked first year college students living at Esperanza Hall about their overall experiences, including safety, satisfaction and adjustment to living on campus.
Destiny Bass, freshman psychology major, said she’s enjoying the college experience including making new friends and trying new experiences.
Bass said this is a period in her life as a young adult where she is free from constant parental supervision and responsible for making her own decisions.
Gage Rendon, freshman criminal justice major, thought dorm life would be fun and convenient prior to moving in to Esperanza Hall.
“The usual cliché,” Rendon said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun, college kids hanging out, it’s going to be easier academic wise and easier access to campus.”
Now that he is situated on campus, “I love living on my own. I’m a very independent person so it’s very easy, the transition,” Rendon said. “It’s been fun overall, besides the fines.”
Editor’s Note: The Mesquite reached out to Esperanza Hall’s two professional staff, assistant manager Carrie Newman and Alexis Ruiz, director and general manager, for comment. Newman and Ruiz did not grant interviews due to a media policy implemented by American Campus Communities. Gina Cowart, vice president of Branding and MARCOM Strategy for American Campus Communities replied to an email from the news outlet requesting additional information on the company’s policy: “Our media policy states that our staff need approval to speak with media. As a consideration to our residents as it is their home, we like to inform them ahead of time if there are going to be media interviews and make sure a mechanism for their consent via a media release form is provided.”
The Mesquite will follow up with additional articles on campus housing as the campus continues to grow and expand.
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