By Devon Wilson//
Hood College is implementing a new housing requirement for students enrolling in the upcoming fall semester that will require all freshman, sophomore, and junior students to live on-campus.
Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Life Olivia White wrote to all Hood students: “When students live on campus, they are more likely to take full advantage of academic resources, achieve greater academic success, and attain their degrees. They also are more likely to be involved with student organizations and projects.”
While White’s statement may be true, not all students subscribe to this theory as they believe this new housing requirement would be unfair for future Hood students.
“If you want to be involved, you’re going to be involved, and if you don’t, you don’t. I don’t think where you live determines that,” said sophomore Meyran Hall resident, Samy Brandt.
While administration believe future students who live on campus will have more opportunities to get involved, current students believe improvements need to be made to on-campus housing and the new rule may deter prospective students.
Katelyn Long, a junior who lived in Coblentz Hall last year, noticed some issues with the dorm.
“I lived on the second floor and there were always ants. We also only had two showers and two bathroom stalls…I think that they need to update it like they did to Memorial Hall’s bathrooms.”
Hood discontinued the leasing of Sunset Apartments for upperclassmen at the end of the 2017 spring semester. This and the new rule has made Long believe the college is not too concerned with student involvement as they are more revenue for the college.
“I think it’s a ploy,” Long stated.
Brandt and her roommate, Kate Sanborn, live in Meyran Hall. They described their bathroom as “disgusting.” Going on to say, “The bathroom only has two showers and two bath tubs that are never used. There is black mold in the showers from never being cleaned and the sinks have been known to randomly overflow.”
Room and board can range from $1,000- $4,000 each semester, not including a $2,800 15-meal plan, or a $35,150 tuition.
Two common apartment complexes that rent to Hood students are Sunset Apartments and Crystal Park Apartments. A two-bedroom in Sunset costs roughly $350 before split among four roommates. A two-bedroom in Crystal Park costs less than $700 per roommate. Both options save students hundreds of dollars.
Hannah Tolbert, junior who lives at Crystal Park Apartments, stated: “I love having my own apartment. I’m much happier living off campus and my parents are happy they’re saving money.”
Current graduate student Stephen Friend lived in Shriner Hall, regarded as the nicest dorm on campus, for his senior year.
Mold grows in Meyran shower.
“I think it’s counterintuitive to go to college to make students stay on campus three years. You go to college to grow up and learn skills for life, not to go to boarding school,” said Friend.
Will Lacy, a junior, lived in Memorial Hall his freshman year.
“I think it’s bogus that all of the renovation money has gone to Shriner because the alumni said that’s what they want,” said Lacy. “Now we’re stuck with one really nice dorm, two crappy dorms, and one decent dorm. And that doesn’t help sentiment wanting to stay on campus anymore.”
Junior Dannie Kauffman who lived in Smith Hall during his transfer sophomore year. He mentioned an old and skeptical elevator and how washer and dryer availability was poor due to them “constantly breaking.”
“I think the new rule is ridiculous,” Kauffman said. “We’re paying so much money for tuition that they should allow students to find different living situations, especially if it’s cheaper. And if they continue to follow through, then they need to either lower living costs or make the dorms much better.”
While the students already enrolled will not be affected by the new housing requirement, only time will tell whether the school will make renovations to on-campus housing and if future students respond well to the policy.