The TRAVELER'S JOURNAL: July second, saving on summer school stays.

Here's a interesting accommodations option for budget conscious travelers. Go to college. During the summer, numerous residential colleges and universities in the U.S., Canada and Europe open their dorms to visitors interested in an inexpensive room.

Inexpensive is the key word. On-campus lodgings generally average between 15 and $40 per person a night, often with discounts for longer stays. Guests are generally housed far from any students who may be around, so late-night noise isn't an issue. A two- bed, dorm-style room with shared bath is the usual option, but some schools also offer suites and townhouses. With most students gone, a campus can be a surprisingly quiet refuge, especially in the midst of a big city. Guests may also be free to use the school's sports and recreational facilities, parking lots, even food and laundry services. Many campuses accept children and credit cards, but sorry no pets.

Some institutions do limit their guest list to alumni and scholars having legitimate academic interests; others open their doors to all comers. Group bookings are usually more than welcome, as are members of the same family traveling together. For that reason, a campus can be a good place to hold a family reunion.

So if you're traveling this summer and are looking for price-conscious accommodations, consider a local campus. The best resource, a book called the Budget and Lodging Guide is no longer published, but many libraries have copies. A more direct option is to just call and ask for campus residences. You might be surprised.

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