2008 Woodie Awards
Proposed off-campus housing policy no longer reduces merit-based aid
Megan Feil
Issue date: 2/1/08 Section: News
"Living in Westborough allows me to pay my bills once a month versus a down payment in loans to Guilford," said sophomore Justin White.
For many students with presidential scholarships, Guilford formerly took away at least $2,500 away if they moved across the street. Some students felt forced to stay on campus for this reason.
"At this point in my life, I want to start living like an adult," said junior Maria Kupper, presidential scholarship recipient. "Because there was no room in the apartments, I'm forced to live in Shore again. I couldn't afford to lose scholarships (by) moving off campus."
"Students now have leeway to get what they want rather than what they can afford," said Jennifer Agor, associate dean for campus life. "We work with the current situation and this is an improvement over what we used to do."
Off-campus housing approvals are done on a case-by-case basis. Guilford does not have specific requirements every student must meet in order to live off campus. Among many factors, Campus Life looks at applicants' character, maturity, academic records, and any judicial cases.
Campus Life is working on setting the dates for when students sign up for the housing lottery, find out their on-campus living arrangements, and apply for off-campus housing. They hope to accommodate off-campus candidates by processing their applications before the lottery.
"I hope it will help housing issues on campus," said Residential Living Coordinator Kris Gray. "The responsibility's in the hands of the students - they have to get the application in by the deadline."
For many students with presidential scholarships, Guilford formerly took away at least $2,500 away if they moved across the street. Some students felt forced to stay on campus for this reason.
"At this point in my life, I want to start living like an adult," said junior Maria Kupper, presidential scholarship recipient. "Because there was no room in the apartments, I'm forced to live in Shore again. I couldn't afford to lose scholarships (by) moving off campus."
"Students now have leeway to get what they want rather than what they can afford," said Jennifer Agor, associate dean for campus life. "We work with the current situation and this is an improvement over what we used to do."
Off-campus housing approvals are done on a case-by-case basis. Guilford does not have specific requirements every student must meet in order to live off campus. Among many factors, Campus Life looks at applicants' character, maturity, academic records, and any judicial cases.
Campus Life is working on setting the dates for when students sign up for the housing lottery, find out their on-campus living arrangements, and apply for off-campus housing. They hope to accommodate off-campus candidates by processing their applications before the lottery.
"I hope it will help housing issues on campus," said Residential Living Coordinator Kris Gray. "The responsibility's in the hands of the students - they have to get the application in by the deadline."
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