After speaking with several people about housing it is clear that the system is not all that it should be. I’m not even looking to be a part of the housing situation, but it would seem that it is inescapable.
I’m the kind of person that likes to keep their inbox clean. I don’t need any unnecessary e-mails clogging up the works. This semester I’ve found myself acquiring more e-mail junk from resident life. It’s always the same old e-mail: “Are you thinking of living off campus next semester?”
No, I am a graduating senior who will not be returning in the fall. I’ve sent multiple replies to Resident life stating this, but it hasn’t done any good; more and more e-mails about housing flood my inbox.
No. NO. NOOOO I will not be here! Please cease and desist!
I know, it’s just an e-mail or two every other day right? Sure it is, but it’s an e-mail or two that I’ve responded to and received no follow up on. If they won’t respond to my persistent requests what else is being over looked?
After speaking with a random, diverse group of students on campus ranging from freshman to senior; it would seem that others feel the same way I do: that their voices aren’t being heard.
Some like the on-campus experience but other would like a chance to be more independent without worry about the high costs of The Woods at Millikin.
What are their options? Well, if more than 2,000 students are attending Millikin each year and there’s only room for 685 in the available dorms, then were does everyone else go after the “Lottery” has happened and their number didn’t score them a spot in the dorms?
The only options left are the new Millikin Apartments, The Woods at Millikin, or an Off-Campus house.
To live on campus you would be spending around 600 dollars a month for your spot. If you receive a crappy number you’re stuck with the other options:
Paying 714.30 a month to live at The Woods, paying Millikin abit more to live in their special apartments near campus, or, if you are 22 years of age, have more than 88 credit hours, have a kid, a spouse, are destitute, or in need of hospice you can live in an off-campus house for a little over half the price. You would be paying between 300-400 dollars a month to live in an off campus house. Granted that this isn’t including your power bill or water, but at least you would have control over them! Oh, and guess what, that amount for the Woods doesn’t include electricity. Sure it has a TV and a pool and a tanning area, but how often do you use these things? If you use them often, do you really think it should cost that much to have access to it? Don’t you think you could find a better, less expensive way? Do you really need a gym when there is one you can go to just down the street for free?
If around 2000 students are attending Millikin each year, then 1315 students have to find options outside of the dorms. I’m sure not all of them fit this worthy-for-off-campus-house-living profile that Millikin has set up, but shouldn’t upper classman automatically have this option if they are doing well in school? Why are good students paying more because they just miss the requirements for off-campus house living? Millikin, if you are afraid we will make mistakes and be more vulnerable, then prep us earlier, check in on us more often, don’t take away options that could relieve stress and help us continue our stay.
Info pulled from Millikin University’s website.