Guilford students met with Associate Dean for Campus Life, Alison Kienle in an open discussion dealing with the future of housing policies on Sept. 12.
Topics ranged from first-year housing to studying abroad, on-campus apartments, construction of a new dorm, and requirements for living off campus. There was also dialogue on what went awry with this year’s housing crunch.
“We were in a reactive year,” said Kienle. “We couldn’t plan ahead. Fewer first years came than expected and more returnees came back than expected.”
Kienle added that she has not yet worked at a college that didn’t encounter similar problems, referring to the housing procedure as a “weird, cumbersome process.”
The students, however, were eager to move forward and discuss ideas for the years to come. Concern was raised for the tribulation students’ face when they petition to live off-campus. One proposed method was to scrap the 88 credit and 21 years of age requirement altogether. The 25% deduction from scholarship money would still apply.
Students would instead write an essay explaining why they feel they should be allowed to live off campus. Campus Life would review the essay and the student’s academic record.
“What we’re looking for are maturity levels,” explained Kienle. The students at the forum were receptive to the proposition.
Students were also concerned with the current housing application process.
“We had to do everything online and then in person,” said sophomore Sara Skubic. “It would probably be more efficient to do it (all) online.”
Kienle commented that Campus Life was considering an all-online housing application and even tried to purchase a computer program to organize it, but the program was too expensive.
“I hope the housing process runs a lot smoother,” said sophomore Lizzie Biddle. “Last year it was really stressful-it was during exams.”
The students at the Forum were disappointed by Guilford’s expansion.
The main student gripe was about overcrowding. Campus Life plans to ease the rush of new students by expanding the Study Abroad program, and to build a new dorm.
The students were not thrilled with the locations suggested for building the dorm; either in the field across from the president’s house or in the soccer athletic field.
When forced to choose between the two locations, students agreed that the field next to the president’s house would be the better location. The soccer field would have to be moved into the Meadows, while residents in the new dorm would be isolated from the rest of campus.
At least by Ragsdale, the students decided, the dorm residents would be close to Milner.
Kienle wants a “pod style” residence hall: a building with a main hallway and little separate groups of rooms of 4 or 8 with their own bathrooms, kitchens and common rooms.
“It’s like a living in a big apartment,” she added.
Kienle suggested that the new dormitory should be an all-first year hall, but the students favored a mixed class environment.
Ultimately, no final decision has been made. Another possibility is to renovate the third floor of Mary Hobbs, or even build more apartments.
A total of six students showed up, ranging from first years to juniors.
Similar issues were discussed at the previous forum as well as more on Study Abroad ideas for new and less expensive programs, and figuring out what students agreed and disagreed on.
“We had a better turn out the last time,” said Kienle. “About nine people came.”
She told the attendants that if students have an interest in holding another forum before the end of fall semester, she will gladly schedule it. For more information send emails to, [email protected].