More students chose to rest their weary heads at the Residence Halls this semester, filling living quarters on campus to their maximum occupancy.

Last semester, approximately 1,595 students occupied the Residents Halls. This semester, the halls are home to approximately 1,700 students, of which 70 percent are new to Cal State Long Beach.

President Robert Maxson reported in his Convocation speech Friday that "the Residence Halls are filled 100 percent and there is a waiting list to get in."

"In 1992 they were at 67 percent occupancy," Maxson said.

Gary Little, the director of housing and residential life explained the increase of on-campus dwelling as a result of CSULBŐs effort to make the campus more appealing to students.

He said the increase is due to the natural progression of growth after the state-wide budget crunches in the early nineties,

"Housing here a CSULB really mirrors the pattern of enrollment. This is as full as it has been since the late eighties," Little said.

Recent perks added to the rooms to lure students include cable and Internet access.

For many students, including sophomore Rachel Manliquez, the main attraction to living on campus is the social outlet it provides to meet new people.

Another common benefit for students is proximity. "We are closer to everything, we can fast walk to the campus," said sophomore Chelise Hunter.

Little also attributed the increase of on-campus living to word-of-mouth referrals. "If the students have a good experience, they are going to talk about it," Little said.