SlapdAsh

Well, it seems the university will not offer single deluxe rooms in Arkansas and University halls this fall.

"What about the men's dorms?" one might ask. Well, there does not seem to be the demand in men's housing that there is in women's housing.

So the situation will force all women into double occupancy rooms, while in Twin Towers, some floors are entirely single deluxe rooms.

"But I'm willing to pay the extra $200!" you might argue. "So what?" is Residence Life's reply. After speaking to a Residence Life official, I determined resistance was futile, and there seemed to be no exceptions.

So what if you are an upperclassman and have had your room for more than a year.

So what if you are a trustees scholar with a 4.0 gpa to maintain. Tough luck! Residence Life will still strip you of your privacy. More than likely, the university will force you to live with a complete stranger.

After Residence Life notified me of this at midnight the Wednesday before Spring Break (they surreptitiously slid the letter beneath my door), I was in turmoil. The university took the private room I thought was mine until graduation. What to do? I considered my options and began making phone calls.

"Will RAs still have single rooms?" I asked Residence Life. Yes, they said. The demands of the job make that necessary. As if other students had no demands, like maintaining a grade point average or working outside the comfort of the front desk of a residence hall. Perhaps I should apply for an RA position.

Surprise, surprise!

The deadline for RA applications passed about a week prior to Residence Life's notification of the revocation of private rooms, and the university completed interviews for RA positions the day after. Was this a planned information release? Perhaps Residence Life waited to notify students about the change to avoid a rush of applicants and a stack of paperwork.

Okay, option two: find a roommate. But most residents in double occupancy rooms who have long anticipated having a roommate next fall already made roommate selections. It is slim pickings for residents accustomed to living alone.

Thus, campaign season begins!

"Sally for roommate!" "Consider Karen when you make your decision!" signs will read.

First, Residence Life waited too long to notify deluxe single occupants of the change, though Residence Life will deny that. It is their belief that seven school days is ample time to find a roommate and confer with parents about alternative solutions. Ample time for whom? Certainly not the resident and paying customer.

Second, the overcrowding of the women's halls should be evidence that the university is not properly planning. Arkansas State University should not offer scholarships and room promises in excess of its capacity.

Of course, not everyone accepts a scholarship and attends ASU, but the university should be prepared for such an occurrence. Officials should have predicted such a surplus of attendance years ago and provided more housing. It is ridiculous for women to have to reside in computer labs for a month when they came to ASU, boxes, clothes and furniture in tow, expecting to have a place to live. Perhaps more recruitment efforts should be aimed at men.

Third, the lesser demand in men's housing is partly due to the abundance of fraternity houses. University Hall has traditionally been a sorority dorm, but why won't the university allow sororities to rent houses? This would definitely relieve some burden on women's housing and promote sorority unity and independence.

Whatever happened to equality for women?

Has the university explored other such options? Perhaps they could make Delta Hall co-ed like those at Mississippi State University in Starksville, Miss., or the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.

Students thought finding a place to park was a hassle! Come fall of 1998, women will have difficulty finding a place to live!

But you will probably find me at a nearby apartment complex, basking in my privacy.

(Feel free to express your opinions about student housing to the Assistant Director of Residence Life Dave Sagaser at 972-2042 and Vice President for Student Affairs Mary Lynn Williamson at 972-2048. Only we can make a change.)