NEWS
Students hoping to sign up for single dorm rooms next year should plan on setting their alarm clocks early next week, university officials say.
Due to upcoming renovations in Shaw Hall, the number of single rooms has been cut by 1,200 for the 2001-02 academic year, nearly 400 more than what was anticipated just two months ago.
“We’re encouraging students to sign up on a waiting list if they are not able to obtain a single on their designated day,” said Fred Kayne, associate director for University Housing and Food Services.
Nearly 480 rooms will be lost due to the closing of Shaw Hall, which will be shut down for massive renovations, forcing university officials to cut the number of single rooms available in half.
Kayne, though, said one key reason for eliminating single rooms was to assure there won’t be any over-assignments, when three or more students are assigned to one room, next year.
Case Hall and Holmes Hall are expected to be among the first dorms to fill up, because they house residential colleges James Madison and Lyman Briggs.
Business junior Tina McDonald, who plans to sign up for a single Monday, says she’ll arrive at Shaw Hall early.
“But if I don’t get a single, I’ll just get one of my friends to room with me,” McDonald said.
Angela Brown, director of University Housing and Food Services director, said although numbers may sound discouraging, students should not give up hope in securing a single room for next year.
“Many changes are made during the summer, so the numbers are very fluid even after sign-up,” she said.
Brown said it’s also common for students to sign up for dorm rooms now, even though they may be looking to acquire off-campus housing next year.
Computer engineering junior John Lee expressed concern about his chances of securing a single room.
“If not, I’ll most likely sign up on the waiting list and try to find an apartment,” he said.
Brown said due to the shortage, many students have opted to keep their current single rooms for next year - leaving even less for other students.
Despite the predicted scrambling for singles next week, current double room sign-ups continue running smoothly.
