It is springtime on the hilltop! For many students it is a stressful part of the semester because that means it is housing lottery time. Housing is very stressful because students not only have to find a roommate, but they also have to find a place to live and hope that they get into the particular building they desire.
The housing lottery is a system run by Residential Life where students are assigned a number: seniors getting the best and freshmen the worst. After being assigned a number the student will find a roommate or roommates and average all their numbers and get one number, then go to Sullivan Arena on their assigned day, wait for their number to be called and choose their new home. Since the classes are getting larger there is a high demand for housing and simply not enough room. Residential life announced that the incoming freshman will be in Saint Joan of Arc Hall and overflow will be placed in Streets. They also announced that Baroody hall will be open entirely to sophomores just to make a little more room.
The demand for apartments and townhouses are so high because the size of the classes are much larger then ever before. People are not getting their first choice, which for some is upsetting, but for others housing is more about living with their friends rather then where they are going to be living.
Victoria Hastings, a senior to be, did not get her first choice, but said, “We remain optimistic because we know we are living with each other and are mentally in a good place with this option solely because we are at least living with the people we choose.” Since not many people are getting their first choice, some students have considered getting an apartment off campus, but then shortly realize that it is better to live on campus and a lot cheaper then renting a real apartment with three or so other people.
For a majority of the people that partake in the housing lottery, the worst part about it is the number system. Kasey Chambers, a senior to be, commented on the issue, “The numbers are the worst part I think, and that your academic and social standing (like if you’ve gotten written up and such) doesn’t factor in to your numbers.” Another downfall is the fact that there is such a thing as “good” and “bad” housing. Areas such as Father Bernard Court and Saint Benedict Court are considered more demanding housing, but it is other places like Raphael and Courts are considered less-desirable housing.
When a new freshman tours the college he or she is shown Joan of Arc and or Dominic Hall, which are very nice dorms. However, they may not be informed that there will be enough housing to accommodate him or her comfortably. This means that he or she could possibly be living in a forced triple or quad in their freshman year.
Housing lottery is a very stressful time for students and most are happy it is all over whether or not they got the house or room they wanted.