2008 Woodie Awards
ResLife extends housing offers
Derby Cox
Issue date: 5/15/08 Section: News
Davidson said he expects many of the sophomores have already settled on housing alternatives.
"We would not expect all 200 students to say yes, they'll take housing at this point," Davidson said. "Many of them will say, 'I wish you'd told me that weeks ago, when I could accept housing.'"
But Young said it's better to underestimate the number of students who can be given on-campus housing so the department doesn't make false promises. Otherwise, students might not pursue off-campus options and would ultimately be left without any place to live.
"By inviting students to come to room selection, in essence, in our minds, we're guaranteeing them housing," Young said. "So why would [they] go and continue to look off campus?"
Part of the reason junior animal science major Brigid Kilbane decided to come to this university was the promise of on-campus housing.
"Even sophomore year, they didn't say anything about a crunch," she said. Then, "It's like, 'Newsflash: You're not going to get housing.'"
Still, Kilbane said she understands why upperclassmen bear the brunt of the housing shortage.
"It would be really hard to make friends and get adjusted" as a freshman living off the campus, she said. "Of all people to kick off, seniors are the people ... better-equipped to handle it."
But by losing upperclassmen, the school may lose part of its identity, Kilbane said.
"We make the campus," she said. "The community makes the campus. ... It would be a shame for Maryland to turn into a commuter college where everyone goes to classes and then goes home at night."
coxdbk@gmail.com
"We would not expect all 200 students to say yes, they'll take housing at this point," Davidson said. "Many of them will say, 'I wish you'd told me that weeks ago, when I could accept housing.'"
But Young said it's better to underestimate the number of students who can be given on-campus housing so the department doesn't make false promises. Otherwise, students might not pursue off-campus options and would ultimately be left without any place to live.
"By inviting students to come to room selection, in essence, in our minds, we're guaranteeing them housing," Young said. "So why would [they] go and continue to look off campus?"
Part of the reason junior animal science major Brigid Kilbane decided to come to this university was the promise of on-campus housing.
"Even sophomore year, they didn't say anything about a crunch," she said. Then, "It's like, 'Newsflash: You're not going to get housing.'"
Still, Kilbane said she understands why upperclassmen bear the brunt of the housing shortage.
"It would be really hard to make friends and get adjusted" as a freshman living off the campus, she said. "Of all people to kick off, seniors are the people ... better-equipped to handle it."
But by losing upperclassmen, the school may lose part of its identity, Kilbane said.
"We make the campus," she said. "The community makes the campus. ... It would be a shame for Maryland to turn into a commuter college where everyone goes to classes and then goes home at night."
coxdbk@gmail.com
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