Cameron and Jeffery Ayers make going to college a family affair

After only an hour of moving, Art & Technology freshman Cameron Ayers stretched across his new bed.
“I need to get a pillow from home,” he said, head resting on the bare mattress.
While in some families his declaration might have been cause for alarm, the Ayers live only 10 minutes from UTD, allowing Cameron to move supplies into the residence hall as he needs them.
“He can still come home for laundry,” said Dawn Ayers, Cameron’s mother.
Jeffery Ayers, Cameron’s father, is also a current UTD student, and is working on a doctorate in social science.
“He made me promise I won’t just come in (to his room). I have to ask permission,” said Jeffrey.
Though UTD is so close to home, Cameron chose to live in the new residence hall with 400 of his peers.
“I’ll be living with people in the same major as me, and I think it might help working with those people. Also, it’s brand new,” Cameron said.
Among Cameron’s personal items was a motorcycle helmet. He said he plans to bring his motorcycle to school, but his parents didn’t want him to for safety reasons.
“(The motorcycle is) a bit of a sore spot,” Jeffrey said.
Cameron worked all summer to afford the motorcycle, however, and was determined to have it on campus. He even mentioned bringing a second helmet.
“No one else is allowed on (the motorcycle),” Dawn said. “You’re not even allowed on it.”
“Yeah, I know, I just like helmets,” Cameron replied.
When Mrs. Ayers was asked if she was going to start attending UTD as well, she laughed and said, “probably not, but you never know.”
Though the Ayers’ talked about how a UTD family tuition package might change her mind.
“The nice thing about this school is that it’s very flexible,” Jeffrey said. “There are people like me, people who have been out (of school) for a few years, and people who are just leaving home as well.”