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Jewell Hall will reopen next year due to a higher number of applications for on-campus student housing, the head of UK’s housing program said.

The number of housing applicants increased by about 200 for the 2009-10 school year, said Ben Crutcher,

UK’s associate vice president for Auxiliary Services. The number of freshman applicants stayed level, meaning the increase came mostly from returning residents.

Housing officials announced they would close Boyd and Jewell halls during the Spring 2008 semester because it housed the smallest number of residents and because the building was slowly falling into disrepair.

But because of a 3 percent increase in applications for the 2008-09 school year, to about 5,600 people, Jewell Hall reopened until more housing became available.

In the fall, the residence hall was filled to its 108-person capacity and was closed over Winter Break because housing became available at other places on campus. Many residents were moved to Keeneland and Blazer halls, as well as to Blanding Tower.

Crutcher said it was too inconvenient for everyone, including residents, when Jewell Hall closed over Winter Break last year. For that reason, Jewell Hall will be open for the entire 2009-10 school year.

Boyd Hall will remain closed.

For more information on UK’s housing program or to apply to live on campus, visit www.uky.edu/Housing/. The priority deadline for returning undergraduate students to apply was March 1, so students who apply now will be put on a waiting list.