Boston College has 29. Scranton University has 25. Now, we have 11. That’s the number of residence halls that will be available for students to live in come Fall of this year.
If the new residence halls are a symbol of anything, it is the upward progress Fairfield University has been making in the past few years. From the new Jesuit Residence, indoor storage and racks for bicycles, to the living and learning communities and the Bellarmine Art Museum Fairfield’s status is growing toward a top university.
A memorable part of the college experience is living in a residence hall. Although dorm life is strange and can be uncomfortable at times, it is still an important part of the college experience. The addition of two impressive halls and the renovation of the long-time ‘haunted hall’ are much appreciated by the student body.
Housing has been, and most likely to continues to be, a dramatic and exhausting process for both sides. Students stress, complain and cry over roommate situations, the lottery process, and the reorganization of both when their first choice is not provided. Residence Life tries to accommodate everyone while striving to please most. Each year we see the two parties clash, causing raised voices and columns written that don’t always reflect the best characteristics of the Stag.
According to Fairfield’s website, the last time a residence was constructed was the current Village Apartments in 2000. Over a decade later, the new residences are more than welcome, especially to students who are living in forced triples. The orange Formica countertops in Claver and worn walls of Jogues become less appealing every year and there is now more to look forward to than having a single room in an apartment.
Although many seniors strive to live off campus at the Beach, there are many advantages to living on campus, and it’s clear that ResLife is trying to make that happen for more students. Being near class buildings and the Library allows students to roll out of bed and get to class more easily, not to mention saving gas money for your car. Utilities are included in your tuition, and if the pipes freeze or the lights go out you can be sure the University will be on it, without having to call a landlord or waiting weeks for a plumber.
There will always be seniors who live at the Beach, so our beloved traditions will never die out, but we can appreciate having more attractive on campus options. Listening to (some of) our requests is all we can ask for with a $50,000 check.
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