Posted By Lauren Chu on Apr 1, 2023 | 1 comment

By Lauren Chu, Social Media Manager

An exclusive Gettysburgian report has revealed that by June 2023, Gettysburg College will begin renting out campus residence halls as Airbnb rentals. 

Huber Hall, one of the residence halls that will be listed on Airbnb this summer (Photo by Eric Lippe/The Gettysburgian)

President Iuliano addressed this matter in a recent campus-wide email.

“Following the Spring 2023 semester, campus residence halls will be transformed into Airbnb rentals in the summer. This decision addressed the low occupancy rates we typically experience during the summer. This change will also allow the college to generate more revenue,” Iuliano wrote.

Iuliano and fellow administrators also explained how this decision was meant to foster a closer connection between Gettysburg’s campus and the surrounding town and community.  With annual increases in tourism, as visitors admire the local historic sites, there has also been an increase in demand for lodging options. Additionally, with most students away on summer break, many dorms would otherwise sit empty and unused, resulting in a financial loss for the university. 

As a result of the campus’ historic location, the college speculated that tourists might appreciate the opportunity to have lodging options that sit near Penn Hall, formerly a Civil War military hospital, and at the heart of the battlefield.

Several students supported the decision, noting the financial benefits it could bring to the college, but they also had their own opinions about whether they would take such an opportunity if they were in the shoes of a tourist.  

Jonathan Scott, ‘24, stated, “The college is always struggling to find funding, so if renting out the dorms during the summer can help, I’m all for it.  I just don’t see the hype over tourists willingly wanting to stay here for lodging, considering the issues we always have to deal with.  Who would choose to pay for a room with mold and mildew growing through the floorboards?” 

Jonathan further continued his reasoning on why he didn’t see the “hype” over the Airbnb decision due to his firsthand experience living in the campus’ Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) fraternity house.  

“Also, like, I currently live in ATO. The house can get kind of dirty sometimes, especially after hosting an open.” 

Scott continued, “As long as frat houses aren’t an option as an Airbnb, I’m all for the decision.  It’s just because the house is a hangout space for the boys.  Why would tourists want to stay when my boys and I aren’t there during the summer?  If they’re looking for a fun vacation, they should hang with the boys when we go to my summer home in Cape Cod.  We’ll throw a rager, bro.  The views are definitely a lot better than a ghost tour in Gettysburg.”

His twin brother, currently living in Haaland Hall, agreed.  Drew Scott, ‘24, stated, “I don’t see anything wrong with it. It won’t hurt anyone if a tourist wants to book a dorm room or campus apartment for a few nights.  I mean, personally speaking, I wouldn’t choose to pay my money to rent out a dorm room, but to each their own, I guess.” 

Drew further explains his reasoning for supporting the college’s decision to utilize residence halls as Airbnbs.  

“I currently live in Haaland.  It’s a nice apartment building for students.  If it becomes an Airbnb option, tourists will be beyond thrilled.  Why settle for an ocean-view hotel suite when you have a gorgeous view of Quarry Pond in rural Pennsylvania?  I wonder if the visitors will see anything crazy the way we all did if they stay here; I mean, will another car be falling into Quarry?”

However, some have raised concerns about the safety guidelines that will be in place and how the intermingling of the impact it could have on the campus community. 

“I don’t agree with the administration’s new plan,” said Brick Mortarson, ‘25. “Campus residence halls are supposed to be a place for students to live during the school year.  Even in summer, some students may remain on campus for internships and programs, so renting out to strangers could compromise that safety.  Also, it’s just straight-up weird, in my opinion.  I lived in Huber last year, and even though it used to be a hotel, it’s not anymore.  It was nice as a freshman because we had air conditioning and bigger rooms.  But are people actually going to pay for a vacation where they settle for these communal bathrooms?”

Another student, Bona Fidë ‘25, echoed these concerns. “It’s not just about students’ safety— I also question the standards these tourists have,” she said. “I lived in Stine last year.  I don’t know why visitors would willingly pay for a tiny dorm room where the hall is notorious for rat infestations.  If they could easily rent a hotel with up-to-date architecture and a cleaner-looking bathroom, why would they willingly want to rent out residence halls with calcium and mildew build-up in the grout of the tiles?” 

Despite these concerns, the administration does plan to move forward with its decision to rent out the campus’ residence halls.  Stay tuned to see whether visitors are happy with these new Airbnb options.