Changes to the University Housing Division's assignment process for the upcoming year will make it easier for first-year students to acquire their desired housing choices, officials said yesterday.
Last year, upperclassmen who wanted to switch rooms or housing locations did so in a phase prior to first-year students in the Alderman and McCormick dorms applying for housing, according to Director of Accommodations John Evans.
This year, upperclassmen who wish to switch rooms will enter a lottery for priority assignment at the same time as first-year students, which will be conducted after Jan. 16.
Upperclassmen who wish to retain their current room assignment will be able to do so by resigning their housing contract no later than Dec. 5.
"It doesn't force any upperclassmen out, but it means that anybody changing rooms, which includes all the rising second years, go in on an equal footing," Evans said. "It should mean more of the first years get their first choice" location and are able to keep their groups together more easily.
Evans added, though, that the application process change will make it more difficult for upperclass students to acquire their first housing choice if they decide to change locations.
"Their chances won't be as good as they were in the past," he said.
The change in the housing application procedure comes as part of a larger effort by the Office of Residence Life to retain more second-year students in on-Grounds housing and to create more social and academic programming opportunities for all students residing on Grounds, Director of Residence Life Angela M. Davis said.
"We're trying to make sure the kinds of programs and services we give to upperclass students, especially second-year students, are enhanced," Davis said. "We're trying to assess their academic and programmatic needs so that we can develop support services and enhanced programs for them in on-Grounds housing."
Co-Chair of Residence Staff Jen Ramirez said a program sponsored by Residence Life, "Hoo Needs Housing?" held earlier in October included both representatives from the Housing Division, who reassured second-year students that on-Grounds housing is readily available, and employees from local rental agencies.
Davis blamed some local realtors for leading first-year students to inaccurately believe that they must move off Grounds because the University does not have enough housing for them.
"It doesn't help that the outside landlords put a lot of pressure on students, and I think inappropriately get them to think they had to go off Grounds or they wouldn't have a chance to stay on," she said.
Second-year College student Clinton Fuller said while the new process may make it more difficult for upperclassmen who hope to change their on-Grounds assignments, he feels the change is appropriate.
"Though [the change] certainly seems like it could be a hassle for me, I don't see why upperclassmen should receive preferential treatment with regard to housing anyways," Fuller said. "If [my friends] decide to switch it up, it seems we ought to be given a fair chance, but not preferential treatment."
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