In the wake of an increased graduate school admissions rate and rising real estate prices in Princeton, the University has slated Lockhart dormitory for unmarried graduate student housing for next year, according to Assistant Director of Housing for Graduate Housing Patricia McArdle.
Lockhart — located between the University Store and 48 University Place — originally was scheduled for renovations next year, along with Dod Hall. The University planned to reopen both dorms in the fall of 2002, according to Assistant Director of Housing for Undergraduates Lisa DePaul.
To accommodate the new Lockhart housing arrangement, though, the University has postponed renovations to this dormitory, while scheduled renovations to Dod Hall have not changed, DePaul said.
"[The idea to use Lockhart] was put on the table at a meeting with some graduate students and they seemed to go for the idea," DePaul said.
"If there were a building ideal for this purpose it would be [Lockhart]," she said, noting this dormitory — which includes 86 beds mostly in single rooms, with a small number of doubles, triples and quads — resembles the Old Graduate College in both its floor plan and its atmosphere.
Likewise, some graduate students have expressed excitement for the new housing option they feel will allow them to reside closer to the center of campus, while maintaining a sense of independent living.
"It's a reasonable option because there is a large kitchen, a good number of single rooms . . . close access to the U-Store, the athletic center, the gym," said graduate student Donnell Butler, a member of the ad hoc committee on short term housing that discussed using Lockhart for temporary graduate housing.
"It makes things a lot easier for graduate students who are able to cook for themselves and are self-sufficient but because of the housing crunch need a place to live on campus," he added.
However, DePaul noted this decision does not mark a general trend to housing graduate students among undergraduates on campus.
"It's a temporary solution to help with the [lack of housing] while other options and solutions are being discussed," DePaul said.
McArdle added that "conversations about building more graduate student housing" are underway.
"Historically we've been able to house any graduate student that wanted housing," she said. "The numbers [requesting housing] have for the most part been stable for the past few years, for the past decade."
This school year, though, 1,884 graduate students applied for the 1,322 beds in the old and new graduate college dormitories and additional housing facilities such as Butler and Lawrence Apartments and certain homes along University Place and Edwards Place, she said.
McArdle attributed the heightened demand for graduate student housing both to an increase in graduate student enrollment and to prohibitively high rental rates in the area.
"Because the economy has been booming, more and more people are coming into the area and hence real estate rates are being driven up and it's very expensive [to live in Princeton]," she said, noting the graduate school's sizable international population faces additional difficulties in securing suitable housing from abroad.
In an effort to accommodate some of these students, the University allocated 15 extra beds in dorms such as Cuyler, Pyne, 1901 and 1903 Halls for graduate students, once all undergraduates received housing assignments last spring, McArdle said.
"[The graduate students] liked it very much," she said. "They enjoyed being in those buildings very much."
Some undergraduates also said they did not object to undergraduates and graduate students living in close proximity.
"I don't really feel like grad students and undergrads really need to be separated . . . unless it takes away from undergraduate housing," said Tom Rowland '02, who lives in Lockhart.
Others reasoned that awkward situations may arise between graduate students and undergraduate students who live near each other because of the two groups' differing academic and social interests.
"Grad students lead completely different lives and our social lives really don't mix," said USG campus and community affairs chair Nina Langsam '03.
"This is like making [graduate students] a part of the residential community," she said. "If [the University] is housing graduate students near undergraduates, you could be living in chatting distance from your chemistry preceptor."
Graduate student Cynthia Tobery, who also serves on the committee that discusses short term housing options, said that as long as preceptors are not "hanging out" with their students, the temporary housing solution may facilitate preceptor-student communication.
"Perhaps the worst thing is that [graduate students] would have office hours in their dorms," she said.
"Everybody on the committee thinks it is [a good idea]," Tobery added, noting dormitory living appeals to many graduate students. "With the housing shortage in Princeton, people would probably be happy with what they can get."
Read More
Baccalaureate and Class Day highlight potential for global impact
Ava FonssBaccalaureate and Class Day provided additional opportunities before Commencement for the Class of 2024 and their families to celebrate the achievements of a class which first experienced Princeton virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal Judge Nusrat J. Choudhury and actor Sam Waterston served as keynote speakers.
Baccalaureate and Class Day provided additional opportunities before Commencement for the Class of 2024 and their families to celebrate the achievements of a class which first experienced Princeton virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal Judge Nusrat J. Choudhury and actor Sam Waterston served as keynote speakers.
At Commencement, pro-Palestine protesters silently demonstrate and walkout
Megan Cameron and Christopher BaoAt Tuesday’s Commencement, around 1,300 undergraduate degrees and 600 graduate degrees were awarded. Though there were no significant disruptions, during President Eisgruber’s Commencement speech over 70 students stood up and faced away from him, and around 15 students walked out.
At Tuesday’s Commencement, around 1,300 undergraduate degrees and 600 graduate degrees were awarded. Though there were no significant disruptions, during President Eisgruber’s Commencement speech over 70 students stood up and faced away from him, and around 15 students walked out.
Nassau Hall vandalized with pro-Palestine graffiti, second incident in one week
Olivia SanchezOn Wednesday, May 29 at 3:40 a.m., the front of Nassau Hall was vandalized by protesters. Red paint was dumped on the tiger statues outside and the words “Tragic Accident, Genocide Denial” were spray painted in front of the steps. Princeton Israeli Apartheid Divest denied responsibility, stating that an “autonomous collective” carried out the action.
On Wednesday, May 29 at 3:40 a.m., the front of Nassau Hall was vandalized by protesters. Red paint was dumped on the tiger statues outside and the words “Tragic Accident, Genocide Denial” were spray painted in front of the steps. Princeton Israeli Apartheid Divest denied responsibility, stating that an “autonomous collective” carried out the action.
