Tempers flare at campus wide housing meeting

A variety of members from the community expressed their frustration in front of representatives from the administration at the recent housing meeting. Many students walked away unsatisfied until President Iadarola recently addressed the matter.

by Gabrielle Beltran

Students attended a meeting last week to address their thoughts that the administration was attempting to deny and only supply housing for those who are either first-year or live a certain amount of miles from Cabrini.

Last Friday afternoon at 3:30 p.m., these students, some parents, Paul Weaver, acting dean of students, and Dr. Jim Hirsh, director of enrollment services, crowded the lecture hall. Students were ready for round two of the housing situation.

Shira Marshal and Nathopha Forbes, both juniors, were equipped with big posters and bright signs describing their frustration.

As the meeting began, Weaver clarified a few issues that students were concerned with. He stated that anyone who receives scholarships from Cabrini will still receive them next semester, even if they do not reside on campus.

He also clarified that different groups, such as athletes, or members of certain clubs or organizations have no influence on the housing selection or eligibility process.

After the students were offered a little clarifi- will or will not be able to reside on campus next semester. Weaver stated that he could not answer that until March 31 for various reasons, the most significant being that he would be able dents must also turn in their $250 housing deposit by March 31 to be considered for the housing selection process.

Colleen Foster, a sophomore, asked, "What about the students who do not have transportation that are denied housing? What are they going to do?"

Megan Reilly, a junior, wanted to know, "Why couldn't you have told us earlier? Are you going to help me find an apartment?"

Weaver's response to this question was that "Cabrini is remarkable in many ways. We are trying to come up with an equitable distribution for the housing selection."

Dr. Hirsh added, "The reason that the selection process is the way it is, is because we were counting on the new dorm being completed. They had problems obtaining permits from the state level because of restrictions from the E.P.A."

-James Arnold, students' father to estimate demand by then. As students fired questions, a few facts became evident to them. Campus housing will be distributed by class level. Stu-

Another student asked why parents at home did not receive the same mailing about the new process as the students did. Weaver simply stated that the student is an adult and is responsible to relay information to the parents.

Chad May, a senior, asked the students at the meeting if they found the housing selection process equitable, which all of the spectators in the lecture hall unanimously voted "no."

The father of Tricia and Katie Arnold, junior and sophomore respectively, also attended the meeting. When Weaver called on him, Arnold stated that the administration was patronizing the students and that the students have been through turmoil since the beginning.

"Cabrini seems as if it's all about the money and not about its graduating students. No parents knew about the housing situation because you deliberately attempted to misinform them of it. Future students should be careful with Cabrini. They will promise you things that will later be taken away," added Arnold.

As the meeting pressed on, the students began to leave in frustration. Cliff Becket, a sophomore, then asked Weaver if he was going to be the dean of students next year. Weaver answered that he will most 1ikely be working with Student Development next year. By 5 p.m., students still had their hands raised for comments and questions.

One student asked why no other faculty or administrators were present at this information session.

Loquitur perspectives editor, Chris Neilson, a junior, said "Why fix what isn't broken and what is the point of expansion because the value of our education and the character of our institution is diminishing?"

Weaver's response to this was that without expansion, there would be no Dixon Center or House Two addition.

When the meeting finally ended, the clock read 6: 15 p.m. Students left in misery, still unsure if they would have a spot on campus next semester.

On Tues., March 21, all residents received a Jetter from the office of the president stating that Cabrini will provide housing for all current upperclassmen residents who wish to reside on campus next year. This will be the final year that housing is guaranteed.

Incentives will be offered for current residents who wish to reside off campus.