Posters and cardboard stand-up advertisements across campus aimed at drawing students back to the residence halls have been effective in the last year, University Housing Director Angela Brown said.
The "Live on" campaign has been running for three years and Brown says MSU uses the program to both inform students and increase interest in living on campus.
MSU's residence hall system can house about 14,900 students. More than half of those spots are taken for next year.
Brown attributes the increase from 7,556 to 7,660 to be a matter of better marketing, new types of meals, and the fact that people like to be on campus.
"We survey students every year and have forums," she said. "We want them to share what it is they're looking for."
Brown said MSU gives the survey to students as young as high school juniors.
Concerns such as having a personal room and bathroom, having flexible meal hours and locations and even having classes in the residence halls are considered when ideas for renovation or campus additions come up.
Shaw Hall Manager Carol Noud said rooms in the hall have once again filled up quickly. The residence hall, which underwent renovations last year, has 819 residents for the fall with only a couple spaces for females remaining.
Fewer people were able to come from other halls this year because 350 current residents had already signed up.
"Students recognize that university housing is the best deal when you look at what you're paying for," Noud said.
But integrated studies in social science junior Gabrielle Johnson said she has tried the residence halls, and decided that she likes living with her parents in Lansing better.
"I don't think it's an exceptional value for how much money you have to spend to live here," she said.
Rather Hall resident and mechanical engineering freshman Joe Tideswell said he plans to live in an apartment next year.
Off-campus living allows him to cook his own food and have more space, he said.
Physiology junior Micah Robinson disagreed. She lives in Akers Hall and plans to return there next year.
"If you live off campus, you don't get the college experience," Robinson said.
