The official student newspaper of Quinnipiac University since 1929.
SEPTEMBER 2, 2015
QUCHRONICLE.COM
VOLUME 86, ISSUE 1
Freshmen forced to live in study rooms Students concerned about privacy in non-traditional housing
MEGAN MAHER/CHRONICLE
A freshman plays a video game in his eight-person room in Commons. Study rooms in Ledges and Commons were converted into bedrooms for the large freshman class. dorms of Irmagarde Tator Hall—commonly ples. Prior to the opening of the York Hill camBy DAVID FRIEDLANDER referred to as “Irma”—will be converted from pus in 2007, Irma and Dana English Hall—also Associate News Editor housing doubles to triples, according to Kari- known as “Dana”—both housed triples almost Quinnipiac University has altered the liv- pidis. Some study rooms in Irma will be trans- exclusively. ing arrangements for some freshman residence formed into quads this year, in addition to many Many students are worried about the lack halls because of increased enrollment in the common rooms in Commons and Ledges that of space in their “non-traditional housing,” as freshman class. However, the freshman class will be converted into eight-person rooms, as the Department of Residential Life refers to it. size and exact number of students affected will stated on the “QU Department of Residential However, incoming freshman Hannah Popovnot be released until after move-in, according to Life” Facebook page. ich, who is going to live in a four-person forAssociate Director of Residential Life Melissa Despite the Irma dorm rooms becoming mer study room in Irma, does not seem to be Karipidis. forced triples for this upcoming year, this is not bothered. In order to consolidate space, the third floor the first time that these residential halls held tri“I don’t mind because they need the room,
I saw pictures of my dorm and it’s not that bad at all,” Popovich wrote in a Facebook message. The majority of students housed in Dana were not affected. This includes the 3+1 MBA community as well as the LiveWell community, which is a specifically substance-free and health-conscious environment. Joel Vanner, another incoming freshman, was placed in an eight-person former common room in Ledges. While he is maintaining a positive attitude about his living arrangements, Vanner said he was confused because there was no mention of eight-person rooms at orientation. “They just mentioned turning doubles into triples and that most of us would get quads,” Vanner said. “I don’t know if calling the room situation ‘unfair’ is correct, rather calling it ‘unfortunate’ sounds more accurate.” Now almost a week into the academic year, Vanner maintains his positivity. “I like it and it’s spacious. It’s very warm in here,” Vanner said. “We’re a little concerned that there aren’t any sprinklers in this room in case there is a fire. There is a fire alarm though.” Zach Evans, one of Vanner’s roommates, says that privacy is not something he considered when moving into an 8-person room. “[The lack of privacy] is a big adjustment. I don’t think its something that they really teach you about college,” Evans said. “I think this is a way to get to know more people better. [In a quad], you could have two or three bad roommates, but here you could have the same two or three bad roommates, but still have a bunch of good ones.” Freshman Bora Agastra of Commons doesn’t think that living with seven other people will hinder her academic success. “[Living in the 8-person room] is definitely something different,” Agastra said. “I love my roommates so that’s a plus, but privacy can be a little bit of an issue. I didn’t think I was going to like it, but I do now. I did want to be in a double, but now that I’m here I wouldn’t change it.”
Westwoods no longer option for sophomores
see what’s happening on award-winning website since 2009
floors. The elimination of Westwoods allowed Grasso to reroute three additional shuttles to the York Hill campus. “This made it easier for students so that there will be a shuttle on each campus every five minutes,” Grasso said. “I think students will be happier with the shuttle situation and the parking situation.” Senior Chelsey Tahan used to park in Westwoods and thinks this change was necessary. “I don’t think Quinnipiac was really looking out for the students safety by making them park [at Westwoods],” Tahan said. “Then not supplying an adequate shuttle serMEGAN MAHER/CHRONICLE
Some sophomores no longer have to wait for a Westwoods shuttle to have access to their cars. Instead, some sophomores park in the York Hill parking garage. spaces available for commuters as well.” Grasso chose the fourth floor of the York Hill parking garage so it would not interfere with juniors who usually park on the lower
POLL
The Department of Public Safety has eliminated Westwoods parking lot as an option for sophomores and replaced it with the fourth floor of the York Hill parking garage, according to Parking and Transportation Coordinator Shanon Grasso. “[Public Safety] started looking at the use of Westwoods a few years ago after complaints from the sophomore class,” Grasso said. Grasso also said the Student Government Association came to Public Safety last year with complaints from students and asked for a change. Former Class of 2017 President Chris Desilets, now vice president for finance, met with Grasso to discuss options besides Westwoods. “Students were very vocal on the inconvenience of Westwoods,” Desilets said. “The major complaints were that the shuttles weren’t running on time and it wasn’t close
enough [to campus] to walk safely.” Desilets said he is happy with the sophomores parking in the garage rather than in Westwoods. “Quinnipiac owns more parking lots than you’d think and they talked about using some of the other random ones around town,” he said. “But I think the garage is the best option because you will get a more reliable shuttle and your [car is] covered for when it snows.” Grasso said she originally tried to open the Hogan parking lot to sophomores but it was not the right time for it. “The classes keep growing and there wouldn’t be enough space for students to park,” Grasso said. “We needed to keep the
Do you like the new setup in the Athletic Center?
vice to compensate.” Tahan said she used to have a job off campus and wished she had easier access to her car during the school year.
The Quinnipiac Chronicle
“I would get to the shuttle stop at least 45 minutes early, and I’d still be waiting 20 to 25 minutes later,” she said. “I almost came in late quite a few times due to the shuttle, and yeah, I could’ve walked but [especially] during the winter, it’s dangerous.” Sophomore Connor McCullough said he would be okay if he had to park at York Hill. “At least we have somewhere to park as opposed to not being able to park at all,” he said. “There’s much more protection for students as well as a more reliable shuttle to get there.” Grasso hopes this will be a change that creates a positive experience for the student body. “I was also unhappy with Westwoods and the system really needed to change,” she said. “Some changes are hard to make, but this is a win for everybody.” Tahan said even though York Hill is further away from campus than Westwoods, it See WESTWOODS Page 5
@quchronicle
INDEX
Co-News Editor
CONNECT
By SARAH DOIRON
Interactive: 7 Opinion: 8 Arts & Life: 10 Sports: 13