Editorial

As students returned to campus this past week, the University’s housing problem was again put under a spotlight. Freshmen remain packed in triples, juniors forced to live in the suites and the Townhouses overcrowded.

According to the University, a solution has been found in the form of a comprehensive plan.

By 2011, an additional 225 to 300 beds will be added to the campus as the residential and housing improvements are completed. Two new dorm buildings will be erected, a traditional dorm in the Quad and apartment style housing in the Village, while Dolan Hall will be transformed into apartments.

Finally, the University has taken a proactive approach to the situation and is beginning to take action.

New construction always brings intrigue and excitement and as college campuses across the country continue to catch up with the times, it is a great point for Fairfield to join in. The dorms in the Quad are 40-50 years old and there is not enough space to allow all juniors and seniors to live in the semi-independent housing that they desire.

But with a cost of $70 million to $75 million and two years of construction, the plan seems almost too good to be true. Will the University truly be able to complete what they admit should be a five to seven year project in such a short period of time? On paper, the plan looks stronger than the failed garden apartments of two years ago and overall should improve the campus.

Along with the current beautification of the campus and the residential plan, the parking structure of the campus is changing. Starting next year, sophomores may no longer be allowed to park on campus and faculty may be forced to park in designated lots, rather than any on campus, both changes will certainly bring backlash if passed.

For one, faculty will be upset about not being able to park right near where they work. And students who want to be independent and able to go into town and drive around will be disappointed that they have to wait until junior year to do so. Fairfield is a rural campus, with little to no public transportation. The shuttle system will need to improve in order for the plan to be a success.

As the administration continues to face a difficult task, they are encouraged to seek more student input. Having just one student on a committee is not enough. These changes will affect not only the current student body, but those who will come for the next 40 to 50 years.

It is important that the University makes sure that they do what is best for those that the plan will truly affect: the students.