Checking out

By nature, the end of spring semester may be the busiest time of the year for Princeton students. For students with an exam on the last day, however, the end-of-year rush is more stressful than necessary. The University requires students with a test on the final day of exam period to check out of their dormitories within a few hours of their last exam. As a result, many students must scramble to move out immediately after their final test.

While the Housing Office gives a few extra hours for checkout to students with an exam on the last day, the extra time is insufficient. Because most students have to study for exams in the days before, there is little time to prepare to move out — a process which is quite time consuming. As a result, students must either put off exam studying to pack beforehand or try as best they can to empty their rooms in only a few hours to avoid fines.

To remedy this issue, the Housing Office should give students with a test on the last day of exam period one more day to check out. An extra day would make the checkout process far easier. The time would give those who have a late exam a little extra time to organize their belongings and leave campus in a less stressful and more organized fashion.

We understand that the University needs as much time as possible to prepare the dormitories for end-of-year ceremonies such as Reunions. Nevertheless, the effect on University staff should be minimal, since only those students with an exam on the last day would need the extra time. One extra day for a small number of students should not hamper the preparations for Reunions or other events.

Between exams, papers and summer planning, the end of the academic year is demanding enough. Providing an extra day for checkout would make exam period a little less stressful for students and allow them to start their summer vacations on the right foot.