JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It’s move-in weekend at the University of North Florida, with freshmen hauling their belongings into their dorms on Friday, while upperclassmen arrive on Saturday.
Anderson Miner, a freshman studying mechanical engineering, shared his simple goal for the school year.
“I wanna pass everything,” he said.
Sadie Jahn, a freshman in elementary education, said, “I’m gonna be on the swim team, so I’m really excited. I’m ready for a change.”
The excitement, however, comes with uncertainty for hundreds of students still waiting to find out if they’ll have a spot to call home on campus.
According to the student-run UNF Spinnaker, 1,300 freshmen met the May 15 deadline to secure housing and choose their rooms. Those who applied after that date were waitlisted.
The university’s original waitlist had about 500 students, but three days before classes start, UNF confirmed that the number had dropped to 200.
“We’ve been able to offer more than 200 students a bed space,” said Robert Boyle, assistant vice president for Housing and Residence Life.
Boyle and his team have been working around the clock to accommodate waitlisted students as the university experiences growth.
“We’re constantly looking at the students who are assigned beds, and do they continue to be registered for classes,” Boyle said. “We’re paying attention to [it], as now that we’re getting through the move-in phase, are they showing up to move in? It is constantly in motion.”
Two residence halls are key factors in the housing situation. Osprey Landing is undergoing renovations, eliminating over 400 beds. Meanwhile, Osprey Ridge, a new residence hall that opened this year, adds 520 beds.
This fall, a total of 3,700 housing spaces will be available for students, an increase of about 100 from last year.
“We know it can be stressful for students and families, but we’ve continued to work it, and we’re going to continue to do it even as classes start,” Boyle said.
Osprey Ridge
Located next to Osprey Fountains on Osprey Ridge Road, the new four-story, 165,000-square-foot Osprey Ridge facility includes a living-learning community specifically designed for students in UNF’s Hicks Honors College, though it’s open to students from all academic programs.
The building features modern amenities such as study lounges, kitchenettes, a catering room, and a convenience store. Outdoor recreation areas include sand volleyball and pickleball courts, surrounded by scenic green space. A newly constructed boardwalk connects the residence hall to the main campus.
A second phase of development — an academic center adjacent to the new residence hall — is currently in early planning stages, supported by the state legislature and private donors, including the Ann and David Hicks family.
More housing
Another major housing project — a 700-bed complex developed by Chance Partners — is scheduled to open in 2027 on leased land at First Coast Tech Parkway. That project will also include a clubhouse and pool.
Osprey Ridge was designed by PBK and constructed by Ajax Building Company, with several UNF alumni involved in the project.
“As a former student myself, it means a lot to be part of a project that will have a lasting impact on campus,” said Sid Myakala, a project engineer who earned his master’s in construction management from UNF in 2024.
The university says expanding housing is part of a broader effort to meet student needs as enrollment continues to grow.
RELATED: Mayor Deegan signs funding bill for UNF Flight Deck, a new $3M esports arena
Off-campus housing costs
Alternative off-campus options are also a challenge.
A recent report shows the cost of college, including room and board, has jumped 42% over the past two decades.
According to RentCafe, the average rent in Jacksonville is around $1,501 a month for a 981-square-foot unit. Over a 12-month lease, that adds up to more than $18,000, or about $9,000 annually if shared with a roommate. That doesn’t include furniture, deposits or utilities.
RELATED | No Room on Campus: The off-campus housing crisis facing college students
By comparison, a double-occupancy dorm at UNF costs $3,474 per semester, or $6,948 for the school year. That price includes utilities, furnishings, and can often be covered by financial aid.
That affordability gap isn’t unique to UNF. According to a recent national survey by The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs, 59% of college students nationwide faced basic needs insecurity in the 2023–24 school year.
That includes:
- 48% of students who experienced housing instability
- 14% who experienced homelessness