When residence halls were forced to assign local motel rooms to incoming students this fall instead of the customary dormitories due to a shortage of on-campus living space, they anticipated some problems.
They did not anticipate this one, however - many students do not want to leave their motel accommodations.
"We don't want to leave," said Joseph Iannotta, a sophomore media study major who is the hall council president on his floor in the Super 8 Motel. "When we got here we realized that we love it here, especially the people."
Josh Magnitzky, a sophomore media study major, wishes he could stay in the Super 8 next semester as well.
"I'd rather live here than over in the dorms. I'm settled here. It's great," said Magnitzky. "I feel like living in such a confined space makes everyone so much closer."
Unfortunately for the pack of tight-knit students who have coalesced into dedicated friends, they will not be able to stay in their rooms at the Super 8 past the end of the semester.
"If students want to live in the motel next semester, then they will not be living with us anymore," said Joseph Krakowiak, director of University Residence Halls. "But I am very pleased that they've gotten along so well and that they've enjoyed their first semester with us."
According to Krakowiak, there are 107 students, mostly transfers, still living the Super 8 Motel adjacent to UB's North Campus on Flint Road, and by the start of next semester all of them will be relocated to spaces in either the university apartments or the dormitories on North or South Campus.
Krakowiak said not only will the motel residents get priority in on-campus apartment openings, but UB will also store their belongings over winter break to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Many students said it is not the private bathrooms, carpeting, double beds and air conditioning that draw them to stay in the motel, but rather the friendships they have forged over the last two months.
"There is a real good atmosphere here," said Kevin Simpson, a sophomore undecided major and Super 8 Motel resident. "It's the different people that came together. It's a good blend of culture."
By almost all accounts, the end of this fall semester will be a sad time for the family of Super 8 students.
"There's a certain camaraderie that I don't want to lose," said Iannotta. "I feel like we act more like adults than what you'd see at the dorms."
Students also said the odd situation in which they were forced to live has brought them close together, making them inseparable as a group.
"On weekends, there's about 30 of us that go out and party," said Simpson.
In addition to the South Campus excursions, students said they are always convening for movie nights, female-only bonding experiences, dance programs and an upcoming Madden video game football tournament.
Students also say they prefer the Super 8 because of its friendly staff and quick-responding maintenance staff.
"I once had spiders in my room," said Jihan Bentley, a sophomore psychology major. "The guy came within five minutes. I haven't seen a spider in over a month now. They're great about fixing stuff."
According to Iannotta, the residential advisors employed by UB residence halls in the motels have been helpful, but the students in the Super 8 have taken social and judicial matters into their own hands.
"The RAs here are more like the Queen of England, they're just there," said Iannotta. "If we have problems we just handle it ourselves."
Krakowiak said the last of the students will move out of the Super 8 by the end of the semester.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
