Campus housing policy inconvenient for students
Zach Magnuson
Issue date: 1/27/10 Section: Opinion
This is always a stressful and hectic time of year, especially for college students. Aside from the normal holiday hysteria of travel plans and Christmas shopping, students have to deal with the anxiety of finishing up class work and taking finals. I think it is fair to say that this is the most stressful season for students.
The housing policy of MidAmerica Nazarene University does not do its beloved students any favors in the Christmas chaos. MNU completely closes down its on campus housing for several weeks every winter between semesters, giving on-campus students the cold shoulder. This isn't a problem for many students who live nearby or are planning to go home for the break, but it is definitely an issue for students who don't live in the area, but have other obligations here. Students who live on campus and have jobs can find themselves in a real bind.
"I have to work so that I can afford to go to school here (at MNU)," junior Anson Fry said. "Do they think I can just take two and a half weeks off?"
MNU tries to encourage its students to live on campus to promote a community and family atmosphere. Students who are striving for these ideals have come to think of their dorm as a home, a home that they are being forced to leave. The worst part is that the situation is most difficult for students who are working the hardest to attend this university. Students who need to hold down their jobs to pay tuition and other fees are forced to jeopardize their employment because they have nowhere to live.
I have been told by MNU faculty members that the troublesome policy is in place for security reasons. Since there are no university employees required to stay on campus and supervise the dorms, the university would be liable for students if they were allowed to stay on campus. This is an understandable limitation, but it is not an issue that should be allowed to disrupt the lives of the students. I refuse to believe that the powers that be at this university could not find a reasonable, creative solution that would benefit the students if they put their minds to it.
I don't want to just be a dissident, so I will offer a humble suggestion, uninformed and (probably very) flawed as it may be. Perhaps each Resident Educator could be on campus for a few days during the break. Every RE would receive a list of students on campus and give their phone number to the dorm residents. That way if a situation did arise, the students would be able to contact whichever RE is currently on campus, and vice versa.
I am confident that wiser, brighter minds than my own can address the issue and arrive at a satisfactory solution. Our university prides itself on its dedication to "community"; the administration should be willing to make the effort and sacrifice necessary to promote that goal and help the students. The policies of this organization should not contradict the pursuit of its values.
The housing policy of MidAmerica Nazarene University does not do its beloved students any favors in the Christmas chaos. MNU completely closes down its on campus housing for several weeks every winter between semesters, giving on-campus students the cold shoulder. This isn't a problem for many students who live nearby or are planning to go home for the break, but it is definitely an issue for students who don't live in the area, but have other obligations here. Students who live on campus and have jobs can find themselves in a real bind.
"I have to work so that I can afford to go to school here (at MNU)," junior Anson Fry said. "Do they think I can just take two and a half weeks off?"
MNU tries to encourage its students to live on campus to promote a community and family atmosphere. Students who are striving for these ideals have come to think of their dorm as a home, a home that they are being forced to leave. The worst part is that the situation is most difficult for students who are working the hardest to attend this university. Students who need to hold down their jobs to pay tuition and other fees are forced to jeopardize their employment because they have nowhere to live.
I have been told by MNU faculty members that the troublesome policy is in place for security reasons. Since there are no university employees required to stay on campus and supervise the dorms, the university would be liable for students if they were allowed to stay on campus. This is an understandable limitation, but it is not an issue that should be allowed to disrupt the lives of the students. I refuse to believe that the powers that be at this university could not find a reasonable, creative solution that would benefit the students if they put their minds to it.
I don't want to just be a dissident, so I will offer a humble suggestion, uninformed and (probably very) flawed as it may be. Perhaps each Resident Educator could be on campus for a few days during the break. Every RE would receive a list of students on campus and give their phone number to the dorm residents. That way if a situation did arise, the students would be able to contact whichever RE is currently on campus, and vice versa.
I am confident that wiser, brighter minds than my own can address the issue and arrive at a satisfactory solution. Our university prides itself on its dedication to "community"; the administration should be willing to make the effort and sacrifice necessary to promote that goal and help the students. The policies of this organization should not contradict the pursuit of its values.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Michael Morrison
posted 1/27/10 @ 5:10 PM CST
No students are forced to leave the school. For the price of $10 a day anyone and everyone is allowed to stay on campus. It's called winter housing, and every RE discussed it in the weeks leading up to Christmas break. (Continued…)
Ashley Hobson
Ashley Hobson
posted 1/27/10 @ 5:35 PM CST
Just for the sake of strict accuracy, Winter Housing does not begin until after the first of January.
From the day after finals ends until the beginning of Winter Term (usually the Monday of the first full week of January) the dorms are completely closed to all students for reasons undetermined. (Continued…)
Taylor Johnson
posted 1/27/10 @ 8:34 PM CST
Just for the sake of strict, strict accuracy, it's actually $12 a night to stay on campus. Furthermore, in regards to the money you pay to rent a room from the school, that goes towards in-semester housing, nothing more, nothing beyond. (Continued…)
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