EMU Creates More Housing Choices

Students frustrated with EMU’s policy requiring all juniors, regardless of age, to live in on campus housing, have been given new reason to be optimistic. Next year EMU’s Parkwood Apartments will reclassified as on campus housing, allowing any student age 20 or older an alternative to Hillside or the dorms.

According to Jan Kauffman, first year director of Housing and Residence Life, one of the main reasons for the change was “upperclassmen wanting more options.” Kauffman acknowledged, “[the application process for] Hillside is very competitive” and that not being accepted is a big source of frustration for students. Apart from student requests, Kauffman said that the addition of more housing options will be a necessity in the fall semester with the demolition of Oakwood.

Although the switch is in effect for next year, the change is not necessarily permanent. Kauffman said that although this initial year would serve as “a pilot year to see how it goes,” a move for Parkwoods back to off campus housing would not likely occur in the next few years until the new dorm is built.

Kauffman reports that although most students have responded positively to the change some have expressed some concerns. “Initially the most resistance came from current residents and rising seniors,” said Kauffman. Unlike previous years, current residents are not allowed to extend their lease into the summer because of minor renovations and visiting students from EMU’s summer programs. Rising juniors have also expressed some concerns, although many of these revolve around the issue of requiring 21 year-old juniors to live on campus. “I am worried that conflicts between friends and CA’s would be exacerbated by the fact that these people are now legal and feel more likely to be validated in drinking [alcohol] in their place of residence,” said CA and rising junior Nathan Kauffman.

Even though there are some worries, many rising juniors are excited about the change. Stuart Landis, a sophomore who will live in Parkwood Apartments next year said, “It’ll be cool to be in an apartment setting rather than the dorms.” He also said that he is looking forward to a “little bit of my own space.”

With many juniors moving to Parkwood Apartments, Kauffman said that Roselawn will serve as underclassmen housing. Upperclassmen who are not living in either Hillside or Parkwoods will be given priority for the limited single rooms in Roselawn. Although no figures were given, she also stated that a record number of seniors will be living on campus next year.