A freshman’s guide to summer citizens at USU

Every year at the end of May, hundreds of summer citizens move to Logan. Approximately 655 citizens, or “snow birds,” as they are sometimes referred to, have come to Logan for the summer this year, including 196 residents new to the program.

The average age of these citizens is 75, and they come from all across the country. Though most come from Arizona, some summer citizens come from as far as Florida to live in Logan escape the summer heat.

USU offers the option of 12 different apartment complexes, both on and off campus, specifically for summer citizens. Some residents, however, can’t or simply don’t want to stay for the whole summer, so USU housing offers contracts anywhere between 2 and 9 weeks and cost between $1100 to $1500.

Not all summer citizens choose to stay on campus, though. Summer citizens Ann and Jim Lester, for example, decided to stay at Cambridge Court this year because the apartment offers accommodations that better suit their needs.

“We like that (Cambridge Court) lets you bring your dog, and that they have a swimming pool. Those are two big pluses for us,” Ann Lester said.

The citizens come for more than just the cooler weather and variety of housing options here in Logan.

Tom Hayes and Marie Porter, both of whom have been utilizing the summer citizen program for more than three years, love the opportunity to escape the summer heat in Arizona and the ability to meet new people in Logan.

USU provides many opportunities for summer residents to get to know each other, including classes offered especially with summer citizens in mind. According to Steve Jenson, director of summer housing at USU, approximately 90 percent of the summer residents take classes at USU. The most common classes taken are exercise classes that are available to all ages.

“I am taking a water aerobics class this year, and I really enjoy it,” Porter said.

If summer citizens don’t want to take summer classes, there are still many other activities that they can enjoy, ranging from attending theater performances to hiking Logan Canyon.  

This year, USU is celebrating 40 years of the Summer Citizens Program.

“The summer citizens take very good care of the apartments and make a great addition to our campus and community,” Jenson said.