Sophomore Robert Wallace spent his summer on the beaches of Florida, tanning the day away and saving up money for his return back to Sacramento State in the fall.

He relaxed on the plane ride back to California, dreaming about the convenience of his future residence at Jefferson Commons and all the benefits that come along with it. He dreamt of the amenities, the short ride to school, individual leases, friends and a fully furnished place to live.

Wallace arrived back home in Merced a week before the Aug. 21 move-in date. He wasted no time and began to prepare for some of the best times of his life.

His hard work would not pay off after a phone call from Jefferson Commons notified him that his lease would have to be modified to a later move-in date of Sept. 10.

“They said I was one of the lucky ones, though,” Wallace said, adding that others wouldn’t be able to move in until October.

He unpacked his belongings and repacked only his essentials for living and headed to Sacramento to find out which hotel he would be staying in.

Robert’s story is hardly unique. With five buildings still unfinished, about 100 residents of Jefferson Commons are stuck in area hotels. Located close to Sacramento State at 6740 4th St., residents of the apartment complex are mostly Sac State students.

When Wallace arrived at Jefferson Commons, he was given a $300 credit off rent and was no longer obligated to pay August’s rent. Stacey Lecocke, the regional property manager of Jefferson Commons’ parent company JPI, said this was their way of saying they’re sorry.

Wallace didn’t mind the cash but knew it was only the beginning.

“No matter how much money we are given there are still major inconveniences,” Wallace said. “I can’t party at Jefferson Commons and then go to bed. I have to drive back to my hotel.”

Three local hotels are being used to house residents of unfinished apartments. Wallace stayed at the Vagabond on Arden Way while others were at the Marriott and Candlewood Suites.

“There was nowhere to do my homework, I had to sit on my bed and do it,” Wallace said. “I missed class because the limo did not correspond to my schedule. The kitchen was so small, it basically wasn’t there. Not to mention I had to park off campus and then try to find a way in.”Wallace was able to move in on Sept. 10, but still merely has the bare essentials.

“It’s still going to take two trips to Merced and two more tanks of gas to get the rest of my stuff here,” Wallace said. “I should be worrying about school, not where I’m living.”

Although life does go on for him, he still does not feel too happy about his situation.

“I feel stupid, everyone else already has everything situated and moved in,” Wallace said.

He said Jefferson Commons is a great place to live. All of his friends are here and he only had to wait two weeks in a hotel.

“It was a slow process,” Wallace said. “I wish I had moved in when I was supposed to. I’m willing to work with them, but at the same time I know Jefferson Commons has a lot of money, and I doubt this is the first time they have built a complex like this.”

Sophomore Tristan Escove has had some tough experiences with Jefferson Commons, as well.

“The compensations have been nice, but the fact is I didn’t move in a week before school started like I was supposed to,” Escove said. “It makes my life hectic and I have missed class because of it.”Escove has also questioned the quality of his hotel.

“Why am I stuck in the Vagabond while others, who pay the same as I do, are at Candlewood suites? My microwave and mirrors are broken; we should all get equal living conditions.”

Like Wallace, Escove almost feels like an outcast because of the delays.

“I feel like a tourist,” Escove said.Jefferson Commons is anxious to move in all of the residents into apartments for customer service and financial reasons, spending nearly a half million dollars on temporary housing.

The goal for construction is one building per week in order to meet the revised Oct. 15 deadline.