The University likes to say that it cares about its students’ welfare and concerns. In terms of amenities, support systems and general luxuries, few schools can compete with what the University offers its undergraduate students. Yet for the past six months, many graduate students here have been languishing in a hollow of uncertainty, misinformation and bizarrely ham-fisted treatment.
The Lakeside Graduate Housing project, which as recently as last February was set for completion during the summer, has now been delayed for the third time since the start of 2014. The earliest occupancy is now projected for December, although the administration is sending clear signals that it does not expect to hit even that goal. In the meantime, students have been shunted into whatever housing is available, generally units in Butler and Stanworth apartments. Students are now facing a full year of living arrangements that they were told would last only a few months at most.
Our primary grievance is the University’s inexplicable lack of transparency. It is difficult to believe that Housing and Real Estate Services reasonably expected Lakeside to be move-in ready at the time of the housing draw last February. A 12-month project overrun seems unlikely to arise without any warning, so it appears that Lakeside was inaccurately advertised. If a realistic timeline had been disclosed up front, many students would have elected to live elsewhere. The process has caused many to lose faith in the trustworthiness of the housing process. Further, not a single general update to Lakeside progress was given between April 18 and Sept. 19.
Few options remain. Opportunities to seek off-campus housing were passed over in favor of promised Lakeside occupancy. Even now, the administration’s vacillations mean that students lack the knowledge to make an informed decision on whether or not to wait for improved campus housing. Meanwhile, Butler and Stanworth apartments offer a decreased quality of living, especially in the winter. If the administration feels that Butler is in poor enough condition to warrant immediate demolition, why does HRES feel justified in housing students for an additional year at full cost to the residents? Furthermore, many units have suffered from chronic rodent infestations, peeling paint and slower than usual response times for essential maintenance.
Recognizing the above considerations, many graduate students have expressed support for the following requests:
1. An email disclosing specific details of the delays sent to the affected graduate students
In the interest of rebuilding trust between HRES and graduate students, we would appreciate an email laying out the nature and causes of the construction delays and a timeline of developments from the past eight months. In particular, we want to know at what points HRES suspected significant delays and why it waited so long to inform us. To date, the administration has not even offered a simple apology.
?2. Proportional additional free or significantly reduced months of rent
The last time a significant delay was announced was April 18, 2014. The email projected a fall move-in process and guaranteed two months of free rent (one month Butler/Stanworth, one month Lakeside) and reimbursed moving costs. For many of us, these financial incentives seemed reasonable given a three-five month delay. However, with the delay now standing at seven-12+ months, they ought to be increased proportionally.
3. A guarantee of equal compensation regardless of housing outcome
It is now apparent that many affected graduate students will never move into Lakeside. However, we believe that these students are still entitled to the promised compensation for moving costs, regardless of where the actions of the housing office have caused them to move to. Additionally, several students have been housed in temporary Stanworth units whose monthly rent is significantly greater than rent would have been in the Lakeside units they had been assigned. We believe they do not deserve this additional long-term burden and should be compensated for the difference.
The University has put into doubt its commitment to graduate students as full members of its academic community. Absent further mitigating action by HRES, we will not be able to recommend the housing services to prospective graduate students in good faith.
Alexander Berg is a graduate student in the Department of Electrical Engineering. He can be reached at ahberg@princeton.edu.Read More
Campus is isolated: Be the voice that speaks out
Wynne Conger“Although today’s encampment represents a significant and monumental stride in campus activism, the culture of the Orange Bubble must fundamentally shift in order to ensure long term change.”
Protesting for peace and justice
Nura Liepsner“To me, the work that pro-Palestine protesters at Princeton, across the nation, and abroad are fighting for can be viewed as a part of a much larger dream of liberation.”
“To me, the work that pro-Palestine protesters at Princeton, across the nation, and abroad are fighting for can be viewed as a part of a much larger dream of liberation.”
Encampments are not ‘inherently unsafe.’ Princeton should not arrest or expel students for them.
Daily Princetonian Editorial Board“We urge Princeton to cease student arrests and to refrain from expelling students simply for engaging in prolonged protest.”
“We urge Princeton to cease student arrests and to refrain from expelling students simply for engaging in prolonged protest.”
