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NEWS

NU housing crunch forces students to live in classrooms, off campus

By Scott Russell
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

Although Norwich University has recently renovated Crawford Hall in an attempt to create more student housing, there is still a housing crunch, and some students are being housed on the bottom floor of Plumley Armory. In addition, the university has contracted with the Margaret Holland Inn on Main Street in Northfield in an effort to find housing for all students who are supposed to be living on campus, according to the University Housing Officer.

This is not the first time Norwich has experienced the problem of student overflow.

“It’s been around for several years,” said University Housing Officer Maj. Helen Bryan.

The selection process for which students would be housed in which locations wasn’t as simple as drawing names from a hat, however.

“Those (students) who had not done one of the things that they were supposed to do, like, they didn’t pay their deposit, or they hadn’t pre-registered [were considered for the overflow housing,]" Bryan said.

“We’re currently using the one classroom in Plumley Armory and the Dodge lounge for freshman [recruits] who have decided they would like to be civilian students,” Bryan explained, adding that she is taking steps to get those students living in overflow housing back on campus.

“As freshmen left the campus for lifestyle [changes], we have moved people around a little bit, and more of the upperclassmen ended up moving off campus, and that has freed up some space,” Bryan said.

But contracting with the Margaret Holland Inn, located on Main Street in Northfield, to house students is impacting the school’s budget.

“The university is paying the Margaret Holland Inn to have those students there, so that does cost them,” Bryan said.

Bryce McNeil, a senior civil engineering major, said that, “It’s not bad living arrangements. But the the school doesn’t try to accommodate you in any way; they don’t make it very convenient for you at all.”

And those living in these special arrangements are still considered residential students, which carries with it a new set of problems, not the least of which is parking.

“Especially with parking passes, you have to get a resident parking pass instead of a commuter, so you’ve got to park in the back of the parking lots, and it just makes it a hassle,” McNeil said.

These overflow students are unsure of their future as far housing on campus, as well.

“They have told us that, pretty much, we’re there for the semester; maybe next semester we might move back on,” McNeil said.

The Norwich Guidon is a twice-monthly student newspaper distributed at Norwich University. It provides laboratory experience for students in the Communications program. Claims asserted by letter writers, editorials and other articles do not represent the positions of Norwich University. The Norwich Guidon welcomes signed letters to the editor. They should be no longer than 300 words. Unsigned letters will not be printed, but names may be withheld upon worthy request. All letters are subject to editing for length and good taste. Mailing address: The Norwich Guidon, Communications Center, Norwich University, 158 Harmon Dr, Northfield, VT 05663. www.norwich.edu/guidon.