Richard Bland College Opens Its Doors to VSU Students

With Virginia State University experiencing a residential housing crunch this Fall, nearby Richard Bland College of William & Mary has stepped up to provide living assistance for more than 95 Trojan students.

The two schools have shared reciprocal housing arrangements in past years, and with RBC having the ability to absorb VSU students in its Freedom, Patriot, and Commerce Halls, showing much-needed neighborly love makes perfect sense.

“RBC and VSU are strong partners, so when VSU reached out with a request to house some of their students, we were happy to accommodate,” says Debbie L. Sydow, RBC President. “This is just one of many ways that RBC and VSU work together to support student success and our greater Petersburg region.”

Move-in for VSU students into RBC dorms started this weekend and most have found the campus welcoming and peaceful. “It’s been a smooth transition for everyone,” says Charmayne L. Wyche, Director of Residence Life. “We’re happy to share our dorms with VSU students.”

“It feels good to be living at RBC,” says Kristina Jean-Baptiste, a VSU graduate student from Richmond studying Health Psychology. “I have a single room, which is exciting. I wouldn’t have gotten that at VSU. I’m impressed by these dorms.”

RBC’s Freedom and Patriot Halls are spacious dorms that offer apartment-style living, with full baths, laundry, and a fully equipped kitchen among many amenities.

“I didn’t know what to expect, and this is way better than living in a hotel,” laughs Terrence Blunt, a senior from Newport News who is majoring in Computer Science. “Having a full kitchen is huge. My living space is nice.”

Other VSU students like Randay Hataway, a sophomore Mass Communications major from Chesterfield, are simply happy to be living on a college campus. “I‘m glad I have a place to live that’s close to VSU,” he says. “I’m looking forward to being at RBC.”