The Housing Task Force (an arm of Residential Life) announced last week that middlers, along with freshmen and sophomores, will be guaranteed housing beginning in the fall of 2004.
Gone are the days of Northeastern “the commuter school,” as the university is edging towards a campus that is close to 75 percent residential — depending on who your sources are.
The guarantee may alleviate headaches for now. However, should sophomores, many of whom are living the high life in the Davenports and the West Villages, expect middler year to be cushy and rich?
According to Residential Life, the answer is “of course.” But ask any student who currently resides in Rubenstein or Burstein Hall and they will tell you life on campus leaves much to be desired. One resident of Burstein recently called Inspectional Services to report poor living conditions, which includes, but is not limited to, mouse infestation.
In addition, as reported by The News at the beginning of the semester, Northeastern’s leased apartments have elicited complaints from residents, threats from the city and a death of a student in a leased apartment last spring.
Should sophomores throw their hat into the housing lottery, or simply throw in the towel?
Go ahead, try your luck.
But, the university should be forewarned: if the middler guarantee is being offered solely to bolster numbers and residents are still forced to live at Simmons and at the youth hostel — students will balk. If housing is guaranteed then the living space should be up to par for habitation instead of merely filling a quota by providing a bed.
Oh, and one more thing. The dreaded Speare and Light Hall forced triples are still a matter of much consternation among freshman, who are unfairly “volunteered” to be put in these quarters. The university should consider abolishing this housing trend before guaranteeing housing to an entire other class.
The numbers may be impressive, transforming NU from a commuter school to a residential campus in a matter of a decade, but the university cannot cut corners, which it has continued to do year after year.
The leased apartments and the older residence halls must be examined closely by Residential Life and Student Affairs. Both offices must hold their end of the deal — and listen to the students’ needs. In some cases, the housing of Northeastern goes above and beyond that of other universities. And for the students lucky enough to get that housing, they appreciate it. But the status of the rest of the housing is an embarrassment. The university should upgrade the living for all students to the same level, not just cram students anywhere can they fit.
