LEWISBURG -- Driving through downtown Lewisburg, it's hard to miss the "for rent" signs.
Landlord Kevin Gardner says the increase in available rental properties is because of Bucknell University's decision to have all students live on campus, except for approximately 200 upperclassmen, to give them the off-campus experience.
"There was about 90 units vacated the first of June. A town the size of Lewisburg, we just can't absorb that many. It will take a few years to be able to fill those," Gardner said.
According to Bucknell University, the decision to move all students back to campus was made in 1998. With the university's new South Campus Apartments, there is enough space to house them.
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"As a residential liberal arts university, providing this kind of experience for just about all of our students is a key part of the experience at Bucknell," said Bucknell University President John Bravman.
But for landlords, like Kevin Gardner who owns Brynwood Rentals, students make up 20 percent of his business.
"For me that would have been about 65 actual beds, if you will," Gardner said.
Newswatch 16 spoke with several students who have different opinions on the issue of living off campus.
"I kind of planned on living on campus all four years anyway so for me it hasn't impacted me much," Matt DeSantis said.
"It just feels very contained. There's not as much freedom with it and I think you're going to attract a different kind of kid than the one who wants to come down and have that freedom and independence living downtown," Josh Williard said.
That's why Bucknell University President John Bravman says there was a lottery for 200 students to live off campus. Even so, Gardner says the lack of student rentals caused rent to go down in Lewisburg. Most of his apartments are filled but not all landlords are so lucky.
"I know one landlord that has around 12 vacancies. I don't know what they're going to do," Gardner said.
Bucknell University students move back to campus on August 19.
