Student housing gripes increase in 2019
by Madison Leslie
edited by Colin Doherty
Because the class of 2020 is so large, students may not get the housing they want.
(Photo: Madison Leslie)
In 2016, the freshman class arrived with 660 students. The average FPU class size is 450 to 525 students, which means the class of 2016 is 140 larger than normal. “That class has not fit (in the typical class housing), and it will be an issue until they graduate,” said Kat Dougherty, Director of Residential Life.
Dougherty said that their sophomore year(2017), “Granite, typically first year housing, was almost filled with sophomores.”
The class size is affecting other students. The freshman class (2022) is concerned about their ability to upgrade in housing next year. Ellis Beckham, freshmen class representative, said, “A lot of freshmen have shown that they are upset about it.”
A student’s housing number is determined by their GPA multiplied by the amount of credits they have completed. Dougherty said, “If you have a stellar GPA and credits, you should be fine.” However, there may not be enough space to move into the typical dorms for your class year.
Dougherty believes that there should be increased transparency and making students aware upfront that they may not fit.
“I do communicate, but the selection order is published the day before. It’s not a ton of notice but it is the best that I can do,”said Dougherty.
The Mountainview Towers hold 240 beds and Dougherty believes that there will be 40 seniors in junior housing. The lack of housing will cascade from there.
“I will do the best I can to fit as many people as I can, but there are only so many beds,”said Dougherty.
Residential Life has guaranteed that they can always house students, but it might not be ideal.
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For this article, Madison Leslie interviewed Freshmen Class Representative, Ellis Beckham. Leslie also interview, Kat Dougherty, Residential Life Executive. Leslie interviewed these two individuals to display both sides to the issue; staff and student. Then the article was written up from the interview and the quotes were put in.
