In anticipation of the 780 beds to be provided next fall by the newly-completed Southwest Quadrangle, Director of Student Housing Services Shirley Menendez told students in an Oct. 31 e-mail that the University would “have enough space to accommodate all students who want to live on campus.” This statement turned out to be both incorrect and irresponsible. On Wednesday, Housing Services informed those who did not receive housing through the apartment lottery that there was no room for them on campus.
In an e-mail sent to rising juniors and seniors shut out of on-campus housing, Vice President of Facilities and Student Housing Karen Frank explained the reversal of Housing Services’ previous statement was due to “unprecedented interest from upper class students who want to live on campus next year.” This lack of foresight was evident at Saturday’s apartment lottery, when approximately 60 groups of students unexpectedly were left without either an apartment or Copley suite. Furthermore, the staff present at the lottery were unable to give helpful advice to students.
Claiming that this year’s shortage is a result of an unexpected increase in upper-class students wanting to live on campus is no excuse. According to Brian Morgenstern (CAS ‘05), a member of the Housing Advisory Board, the Board knew in October that there would not be enough room for all juniors and seniors to live on campus. Instead of proceeding with caution, Housing Services recklessly encouraged rising juniors to stay on campus by saying in the Oct. 31 e-mail that rising juniors would have excellent housing choices and referring to the “hassles of looking for off-campus housing.”
Even worse, this year is not the first time that Housing Services has exercised poor judgement. In 2000, Housing Services similarly informed 237 rising juniors that there would not be room for them on campus, even though the Office was aware of the shortage as early as fall 1999.
A shortage of on-campus housing is unfathomable given that the University is adding 780 new beds on campus. The problem is further exacerbated when Housing Services foolishly promises four years of on-campus housing for all students. Housing Services has failed to learn from its past mistakes and listen to the warnings of the Housing Advisory Board. As a result, Housing Services has unfairly disrupted the lives of many students.
