Everyone on campus knows that the housing situation at Fairfield has consistently been a problem. In recent years, students left Fairfield at the end of the year not knowing where they would live the next semester.
It is a relief that Residence Life has finally recognized this annual headache. By forming a committee of IRHA, RCC and FUSA members, Residence Life has thoughtfully presented improvements that could be made to the lottery system.
The committee has come up with three possible options for a new lottery system and is leaving the final choice in the hands of students upon an upcoming vote.
The first is to stick with the main lottery procedures but to assign a number to a group of students rather than to individuals.
The second option involves adding the credit hours and GPAs of all students in the groups to gain a group lottery number. For students who enter Fairfield with numerous credits from other colleges or high school AP credits, this situation is ideal because you have an immediate advantage. However, students who must drop a course because of scheduling or other conflicts are at a disadvantage.
The final option involves the a demerit system. Student and faculty members of Residence Life saw this as a beneficial option to help curb existing alcohol, drug and behavioral problems among undergraduates. This option was primarily in response to regular complaints during and after the housing lottery in which unhappy students would question why they had a less than desirable housing situation when compared to their frequently documented friends.
While these plans are ambitious, they do leave much room for critiques. Unfortunately, less than 20 students have responded thus far to a request made by Residence Life for feedback of the proposals. It is disappointing to find that so few students have responded to an issue that will ultimately affect them in the second semester.’ Unless students step up now, read up on the options, and vote, the anxiety of the lottery system will continue.
For Res Life to acknowledge the lottery problem and propose options are two steps in the right direction. While we would have liked to have seen students beyond IRHA, RCC and FUSA on the planning committee to develop these housing plans, it is now up to undergrads to become proactive and voice their concerns.
Leave a Reply