Campus life includes families

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - At one local college, they are expanding campus life to include families.

These family dorms make it easier for parents with children to study and live on campus.

Marcea Stephens is a 23-year-old business major, at Buffalo State.

He likes to call himself a 'super junior' for different reasons, we have to agree.

You see he's a single father of two babies, who works and goes to school full time.

What helps him on all levels, is that he is able to live on campus, with his babies.

"I thank God for Buff St cause through family housing it's taking lot of burden of providing rent and lights and gas," said Stephens. "There are 20 family dorm apartments two and three bedrooms. Buffalo State first offered the family dorms in 1997, it is the only SUNY institute to offer this to undergrads."

The cost of the family dorm, like all on campus housing, is rolled in with the tuition and can be paid for with financial aid.

One of the requirements, is single parents must have full custody of their child or children, and the parent must be a full-time student.

There is also daycare in the complex which has a wait list.

Marcea relies upon family and friends to help out with the babies, but living on campus allows him to spend the most time with his kids and still study.

"If Buffalo State didn't offer this program, I think it would keep lot of people in my situation from actually going and pursuing goals," said Stephens.

As a minister-in-training who plans on earning his MBA, Marcea gives thanks everyday for the family dorms and all the support from Buff State and his loved ones.

Buff State officials say there are openings at this time, which is rare, they normally have a waiting list to get into a family dorm apartment.