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Dorms Exceed Space Limit

Lounges Double as Dorm Rooms Again This Year

by Alyson Dame

Every fall a rumor circulates Oberlin College that overcrowding in dorms has reached the point that entitles sophomores to live off-campus. Although this year brings no change in the off-campus housing policy, it is true that both Residential Life and Services and the Facilities Operations are again struggling with the issue of overcrowding in dorms.

Assistant Director of Residential Life and Services Sandy Hougland said that for the past two years the number of incoming students exceeded the anticipated number.

Dean of Admissions Debra Chermonte admitted that while ³the intention is to gradually reduce the size of the entering classes over the next few yearsŠthe yield on students offered admission to both the College and the Conservatory exceeded our expectations this year. Therefore the size of the entering class is larger than we had anticipated.²

Assistant Director of Facilities Larry Gibson was careful to point out that the housing shortage is more complex than simply a matter of more students. A large factor this year was that the southern wing of Barrows was demolished, removing 29 beds. In addition, 16 rooms that were previously bedrooms are being used by construction crews as meeting rooms and offices.

Last year was the first time since 1985 that the College converted lounges into dorm rooms. This fall, lounges, offices and faculty apartments were converted to add 52 beds to dorms around campus. As a result of no-shows and off-campus releases, five of those beds have been vacated. The College has tried to maintain a range of housing options, that include more appealing options for upperclass students. Res Life has also made sure to retain one overflow space on North campus, South campus and in the womenıs collective for unforeseen emergencies.

Although Hougland maintained that students living in the converted lounges are satisfied, she regrets the loss of community space in dorms. Hougland commended the work crews that set up rooms as housing rushed to adjust their plans from mid-August until now. Furniture is a limiting factor and creativity had to be used, according to Hougland.

For instance, freestanding closets were salvaged from the section of Barrows taken down last year to be used in the converted lounges. Gibson explained that the ³time-consuming, challenging effort.² to convert spaces into dorms called on the collaboration of telephone services, Res Life and Facilities Operations to make sure there was furniture, telephone and network access, overhead lighting, and working locks in each of the dorm rooms.

Another effect of the population pressure on on-campus housing is that less people end up living in their first-choice abode. Hougland worried most about the program houses that suffer from undedicated inhabitants. In Third World House, 63 percent of students did not request to live there. Twenty-three percent of Lord Saunders and 22 percent of Kadeıs community did not apply to participate in the program. In total, there are 80 of these surprised students on campus. There is a concern that this matriculation weakens the intended program.

Last year at this time Hougland reported that about 900 students had been released to live off-campus. This year, only 888 students have chosen to do so. September 22 is the deadline for juniors and seniors wanting to apply to live off-campus.

Though the policy regarding underclassmen living off-campus has not changed, there are exceptions considered on a case-by-case basis. If a student is married, 23 or older, commuting from their parentıs home, has a dependant, is taking less than five credit hours or has a medical reason for not participating in dorm life, they may be eligible to live off-campus. Hougland said, ³This is Oberlin, of course we have to make case-by-case decisions.²

One such underclassmen who has found a home off-campus is Laura Mellor Weller. Mellor Weller, 20, was allowed to live off-campus because she is financially independent. She said that she saves $400 by living off-campus, as opposed to a double occupancy room. Mellor Weller said, ³Itıs much better to live off-campus. I was really lucky because I have a pool and my room gets cleaned weekly.²

Despite what the years ahead will bring, Hougland does not see a viable option in moving more students off-campus. It is true that not all students are happy living off-campus. So far this year 10 students have moved back on-campus after being granted a release to move off-campus. This may be a lifestyle choice or a necessity. Hougland said, ³ Thereıs no place to go off-campus now. The town can only hold so many people.²

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Copyright © 2000, The Oberlin Review.
Volume 129, Number 2, September 15, 2000

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