The lease-signing deadline is fast approaching -- and not only for 14th Street apartments. This year, students planning to live on Grounds must submit their applications by Nov. 1. Offers and contracts will be mailed Nov. 5.
In response to concerns about early lease-signing dates, the University decided to move up the housing timetable for the 2005-06 academic year, Director of Accommodations John Evans said.
"Over the past years, the University has received a lot of complaints about when on-Grounds and off-Grounds processes take place," Evans said.
The change also would give rising second-year students priority over upperclassmen who want to change their on-Grounds housing assignment, Evans said.
"Part of the administration's hope is that a large number of students will stay in on-Grounds housing," Evans said.
Evans said the University will not be able to determine how the change will affect upperclassmen until the housing office knows how many upperclassmen will remain in their current room assignments.
"If upperclassmen stay where they are, it will not disrupt their lives," Evans said. "If students want to switch rooms, they need to consider that they might not get what they want."
Students must accept or deny University housing contracts Nov. 12, Evans said. The University then will place upperclassmen looking to move from one on-Grounds location to another.
Last year, all students applied for housing in December and were notified in January.
"People who sign contracts are people who intend to stay on-Grounds," Evans said. "We do not want people to use [University housing] as a fallback."
This year, 50 percent of second years, 30 percent of third years and 20 percent of fourth years live in on-Grounds housing.
The University's ability to provide current first-year students with their first choice housing options depends on how many upperclassmen choose to remain in their present housing, Evans said.
"In the past we have always had enough space," Evans said. "Hopefully we will get offers to them more quickly."
The myths concerning the urgency to sign leases early to attain the best off-Grounds housing cause students stress, Evans said. He added the University's decision to move the timetable for on-Grounds housing forward allows students more flexibility.
"The market is better for students overall," Evans said. "Hopefully people will not feel pressure in making snap decisions."
Second-year Engineering student Tyler Cassidy said he does not believe the changes to housing accommodations are necessary.
"I feel on-Grounds housing is an alternative to off-Grounds housing, so it does not need to coincide," Cassidy said. "I think it is unfair to upperclassmen in general."
The University is uncertain how the new timetable will affect students, Evans said, but he added coinciding on-Grounds and off-Grounds housing options will give students more time to make decisions.
The University "hopes people look at all their options carefully and see what best meets their needs," Evans said.
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