WSU announces lower rates for new on-campus apartments

Wichita State University’s newest on-campus housing just got cheaper.

The Flats at WSU, an apartment complex under construction on the university’s Innovation Campus, unveiled a new rate structure Monday that makes the apartments more comparable in price to Shocker Hall, which opened in 2014.

The Flats is scheduled to open Aug. 1.

“Concerns regarding cost” drove the changes, as well as a desire to simplify billing with an all-inclusive pricing structure, said Scott Jensen, director of housing and residence life.

Rates now include all utilities – including electricity and wi-fi – and free parking for every resident. The new complex also will offer either a nine- or 12-month lease. The deposit has been reduced from $900 to $200.

“We’re just excited to simplify things for students and make it something they will find more attractive to be able to live on campus,” Jensen said.

Rates for a fully furnished apartment now range from $720 to $940 per person per month, depending on the size of the apartment and length of lease. The apartments are rented by the bed rather than by the unit; the university will match roommates, similar to the way it does for residence halls.

The Flats will feature 112 units, with full occupancy for 280 residents. Each apartment will be fully furnished, with a full bathroom attached to every bedroom. The two- to four-bedroom units feature a shared kitchen, living space and laundry.

Other amenities include a beach-entry outdoor swimming pool, private clubhouse, exercise room, sand volleyball court, barbeque grills and tables, security cameras and 24-hour on-site staff and maintenance.

Jensen said a rate structure announced earlier this year was similar to the current one but did not include electricity or parking, which was estimated at an additional $50 to $75 a month.

“When you have students living on campus, they like it to be fairly simple in terms of paying their bill,” he said. “When you start adding things in, it’s just harder for them to calculate their cost and come up with a budget.”

Graduate students and undergraduate students beginning at the sophomore level will have preference as tenants at the new complex, followed by WSU employees and employees of companies on the Innovation Campus, such as Airbus and Dassault Systemes.

No public or university funds or student fees are being used to finance the project, university officials said. It is being developed by MWCB, LLC, a partnership co-owned by four prominent Wichita businessmen: David Murfin, Nestor Weigand Jr., Ivan Crossland and Steve Barrett.

This story was originally published May 22, 2017 at 11:21 AM with the headline "WSU announces lower rates for new on-campus apartments."