Student Council unanimously passed a resolution last night urging the University to create a pilot program allowing graduate and professional school students to reside on the Range during the summer months.
According to the sponsor of the legislation, Graduate Arts & Sciences Rep. Gavin Reddick, there is a large need for graduate student housing over the summer.
Many graduate students pursue academic work or teaching in Charlottesville during these months and need housing, he explained.
"Every year it comes up, and [the administration] hasn't been very responsive," he said. "The University doesn't offer much in terms of graduate student housing."
During the academic year, the 50 rooms on the Range are designated for graduate student housing. According to the resolution, however, these rooms must be vacated over the summer for use by Conference Services.
"It appears that it's fully utilized for two days over the summer on reunion weekend," explained Reddick. "I've lived in Charlottesville over the summer. I've often walked by [the Range] and looked in windows. Is anyone actually there? And a lot of time's there's not."
According to Zach Courser, graduate student and chair of the Range Council, allowing graduate students to live on the Range over the summer would help foster a sense of unity.
"Over the past five years or so, we've developed a little community," Courser said. "Many students have expressed an interest in staying over the summer, be it [for] teaching or research. These rooms are tremendously underutilized over the summer. Give us the opportunity to continue that community on a year-round basis."
The resolution also addresses some of the financial implications of allowing students to live on the Range year round.
According to the resolution, the University would gain more revenue by collecting student housing fees paid by those occupying Range rooms than if the rooms were to remain vacant for most of the summer months.
The pilot program, which would begin this year, would be composed of the graduate students who have shown interest in staying over the summer, a maximum of eight people, Reddick said.
Executive Vice President Darius Nabors pointed out possible difficulties that could emerge if the program goes into effect immediately.
"It might be better to do this a year in advance," he said, noting that Alumni Hall has already filled all but four of the Lawn and Range rooms for reunions weekend.
However, Vice President of Organizations Rebecca Keyworth emphasized the importance of taking immediate action.
"It's important to get it on [the administration's] minds now while it's a hot topic," she said.
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