By Ashley Hunter
Significant changes to housing are coming for Casper College students.
On October 1, all students living on campus received an email stating the Wheeler Terrace apartments are going offline for the 2025-2026 school year.
Dean of Students Corey Peacock stated in the email that the Wheeler Terrace apartments would be taken offline for the 2025-2026 school year so the college can evaluate the future of apartment-style options that meet the needs of the students.
Facilities Director Mitch Masters explained the decision was made to “give the students enough time to find other housing.” He explained that issues with Wheeler Terrace were significant enough that a planning and architect company was brought in to inspect the premises. The company’s report said that the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) of the apartments all had major issues.
Major changes would be needed to bring the apartments back to their former glory. The issue is whether Casper College will make that decision. They are looking to hire a company that specializes in student housing to do a comprehensive housing study to find recommendations for apartment style housing on campus. Through this study, the college will have a better idea of whether they should or shouldn’t renovate the building and redo the MEP system.
Peacock stated that, “We need more apartment style housing on campus for the students.” Many students already know how quickly Wheeler Terrace fills during the housing renewal and registration process, so that is how the college knows that there is a high demand for apartment style housing.
When the study is conducted, both Casper College and the city itself will be looked at. They will look at the rental market, and try to answer some questions with good data to bring back to the college. They will make sure these apartments are meeting the needs of all students, and looking to make changes to the apartments. This can be difficult when students are living in them.
Peacock explained that all of the rooms in the Residence Hall are designed to be double occupancy, and CC is considering the idea of adding a few triple rooms. “In my experience at previous schools I think it’s helpful for students to have multiple different price points for living on campus.” Peacock said.
A triple occupancy room would be a less expensive way for students to live on campus and still experience campus life. Peacock stated the plan would be to use a few of the eight ADA rooms that are on the 2nd and 3rd floor. These larger rooms would help accommodate the third person. This will allow students to have a less expensive room, but also be able to live with two of their friends.
“We are currently in the planning stage to figure out what they can do.” Masters said while also acknowledging money is a big driver in this process. CC will bring in professionals to figure out what makes sense for the students and the college itself and how they will move forward. However, until CC has the data, it is hard to say what the plan is for the Wheeler Terrace Apartments.
Students living in the apartments say that they have noticed that there are issues with the plumbing in the bathrooms and they have noticed that the rooms themselves need some updating.
“The apartments need a little bit of updating” Student Klacie Groene said, “often maintenance hours don’t align with students schedules, so it can be challenging to have repairs done to their apartments.”
Regarding the apartments, it’s all- around a good complex. according to Groene, “It is a good place to live on campus when you want some independence, but still lets you be on campus and close to your classes.” she said.