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With memories of last year’s campus housing crunch still fresh in many students minds, more than 100 upper-classmen and first-year students await permanent housing as a new academic year begins at the University of Maine.
Comprised primarily of the 79 honor students awaiting the completion of renovations at Ballentine Hall, a population of about 120 students is being temporarily housed at York Village, according to Housing Services Director Andy Matthews. One freshman, upperclassmen and transfer students who missed the June 1 housing application deadline – some filing as late as two weeks ago – make up the remainder of the group, he said.
“Im kind of doing a juggling game trying to assign people housing,” Matthews said.
About 3,750 students will be living on campus this fall, he said. Thats about 220 more than last year, when some students were forced to live in study lounges, hotels and even room with resident assistants due to a lack of housing.
Ventilation and moisture problems forced the closure of the 25-year-old York Village last year, adding to the problems. No renovations have been made since 200 students moved from the building last spring, but the suites’ current residents are safe, Matthews said.
“We wouldn’t have them in there if there were safety problems,” he said.
Anne Schmidt, a senior resident assistant in York Village, said residents are eager for permanent housing, but are managing well under the current conditions.
“We understand how frustrating this is for them, and my staff and I would all agree that it is going smoothly so far.,” she said. “The students are handling it well and we’re all keeping really close contact with them to give them very up to date information as to when they receive a new assignment. Our residents are very happy when they find out they have a permanent spot somewhere else on campus.”
Residents assigned to Ballentine Hall should be able to move in this weekend, following code enforcement inspections this week, Matthews said. Upgrades to meet requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, including wheelchair ramps, a new elevator, wider doorways, and renovated bathrooms and electrical work are among the changes made over the summer, he said.
Built in 1915, the building was scheduled to reopen on Aug. 13, but unexpected delays including the extraction of a boulder at the base of an elevator shaft, asbestos removal, and the rebuilding of catch basins for storm drain runoff postponed the project, Matthews said.
“When you deal with building projects, you sometimes come across delays.” he said.
The remaining 40 students, primarily upper-class males, housed at York Village will be assigned to permanent rooms as they become available, Matthews said.
“We try to be as accommodating as we can,” he said. “We want our students to be happy to stay in the halls.”
Students who signed up for housing on time recieve first priority, Matthews said, rather than those now calling the Housing Services office in need of accommodations.
“I dont feel too bad when people get upset because they cant get through,” he said. “The university is hard for some people to understand.”
Matthews said he credits assertive management and better communication between his department and the rest of the university for avoiding a housing crisis similar to last year. On-line room sign-ups for current students should also lead to increased efficiency next year, he said.
Bangor Daily News