It's not a housing crunch, but it sure is a situation. As many of you are aware, there are quite a few freshmen living in temporary triples. In fact, approximately 55 percent of the class of 2012, 873 students total, currently live in this situation. Due in part to an 18 percent increase in enrollment, this scenario represents both a great challenge and a great opportunity for AU. More accepted students than ever before have opted to attend - due to the presidential election, the wild success of the AU basketball team and variety of other positive factors. Overall that's good news for everyone affiliated with AU and it means that the prestige and reputation of the university are in good health.
These improvements, however, come at significant cost to the student's quality of life. Beyond the obvious discomfort caused by forced triples, the demand for space in the residence halls has driven Housing and Dining to levy exceptional and unprecedented penalties for withdrawal. Students who choose to move off campus must now forfeit unreasonable fractions of what they paid to secure their rooms for the semester. Students who now choose not to use AU housing, due to uncomfortable housing arrangements, must pay thousands for their withdrawal.
That being said, AU has done a remarkable job responding to the housing crunch with clear and effective action.
In May, when it first became apparent enrollment would increase so dramatically, Housing and Dining immediately went to work creating plans to lessen the pinch felt by students. The department sent a series of emails to returning students, offering fair and appropriate incentives to move off-campus. Later, demonstrating a benevolent spirit to be admired, the department confirmed housing arrangements with two separate institutions, at prices exactly like those charged for the residence halls.
While somewhat of a silver lining for many uncomfortable freshmen, it is important at this point to recognize the respective housing crises at many other universities. No AU students reside in any lounges, a situation the university faced in previous years. It's also important to recognize that because so many AU students choose to go abroad, de-tripling is a very real and imminent possibility. The moral of the story is, it could be a lot worse.
