Almost every year, students walk away from the housing selection elated or dejected; last Sunday’s housing selection was no different.
In response to student complaints, Director of Residential and Commuter Life Jennie Smith said Capital is continuously exploring options to expand its current housing.
Last year’s housing crisis required students to live in Fort Rapids temporarily, landing Capital in national news. Should a similar situation occur, Res Life is now discussing plans with administration regarding temporary housing.
“The demand for housing has increased over the past few years, and we are excited to see so many students who want to be part of the residential family,” said Smith. “While this does provide challenges, Capital is committed to making sure that each student who requests a bed will have a bed.”
The night before the housing selection, Assistant Director of Residential and Commuter Life Jon Geyer emailed students a spreadsheet of housing available after theme housing and special accommodation requests. At that time, only 35 percent of College Avenue, 51 percent of CU Apartments, and 61 percent of Commons were available.
While it is inevitable that not all students will get their preferred living arrangements, some question whether the current selection process is the most effective.
Using the selection number 1082, rising senior Angeline Renner and her roommate were unable to get neighborhood housing.
“I heard that one [accommodation] was for a Jenny Craig diet. If a doctor mandates you, then it’s one thing,” said Renner. “But if it’s a preference, that’s ridiculous.”
She is currently looking to live off campus.
“I’d rather lose scholarships than live in a place where I’ll be unhappy my senior year,” said Renner.
According to Smith, housing lottery selection numbers are randomly assigned within a student’s anticipated classification for the following fall semester. This classification is determined by the number of credits students have so far completed, added to the number of credit hours students are currently enrolled.
Summer 2015 courses are not counted toward students’ cumulative and current credit hours. GPA is also not factored into the process of students’ selection numbers, though it is considered, along with conduct, regarding eligibility for houses and apartments.
This was the second year Residential Life maintained a social media presence during the housing selection. Based on positive feedback from last year’s process, @CapResLife live tweeted housing availability under the hashtag #HSNGSelection15.
On Twitter, a handful of seniors voiced their concerns about having to live in Saylor-Ackerman (SA).
“There is always misinformation and misrepresentation before and after the Selection Process. Students were allowed to select from what was available at the time their numbers was called,” said Jennie Smith. “…Certain room styles, such as triples and quads, are not available in Schaaf Hall, so if a group wanted to be together, they would need to select SA.”
Smith also denied rumors claiming that sophomores were placed in Lohman.
“Those beds are reserved for incoming first years; however, several groups asked to be waitlisted for the quads and triples in Lohman,” said Smith.
Res Life works from two lists. The “Waiting List” catalogs students who select a room when their preference was not available, whereas the “Holding List” develops when all rooms reserved for upperclassmen become filled.
Smith said she is already seeking to fill vacancies.
Currently, Capital offers single gender, co-ed, gender neutral, and gender inclusive housing options.
Gender inclusive housing, the newest housing feature, provides a safe housing option for students who need it, said sophomore Ciarra Davis.
Davis, along with senior Arielle Johnson, spearheaded this “trailblazer” housing initiative.
“The phrase ‘gender inclusive’ is different from ‘gender neutral’ in the way that is encompasses all genders and gender non-conforming people,” said Davis.
Smith believes this new option will contribute to a campus climate that is supportive of all students, while also aligning with campus diversity initiatives.
“As the make-up of our student body evolves, so too must our services and programs,” said Smith.
