[SingDanceRunLife]

Ugh...

So I emailed the housing director regarding the status of my request, and she said that there's a single in a freshmen dorm if I want it...Um, NO!

I'm technically a senior, and haven't lived in a dorm since sophomore year, and have absolutely no desire to go back to that! And it's ridiculous because the housing director said herself: "I do have a duty to give people housing that is appropriate for them (ie. Not put a senior in a dorm with freshmen).

[mazing]

Ugh.. I can completely understand why you would say no! I hope they can find something for you soon.

[SingDanceRunLife]

Yeah...so I emailed her back asking if there is any way I can stay where I am (a 2 bedroom apartment I share with my friend) and not get a roommate.

Just because it's hard for me to have a roommate doesn't mean I should get put in crappy housing.

[mazing]

That is true. Unfortunately with the way the system is at the moment they often don't have the resources and rooms available

I hope you get it sorted out

[SingDanceRunLife]

It doesn't make sense for me to move anyway. I already moved once this year.

Oh, and it really doesn't help that the dorm she said I could move into is the same dorm I actually DID live in freshman year, AND it's the worst dorm on campus! It's the oldest, has the smallest rooms, and other than 1 other dorm that it's next to, is the farthest away from classes.

[Travelinglady]

Alas, freshmen do tend to get the ratty dorms. I sure hope the housing person is doing his/her best. It is true, however, that sometimes dorm space is limited. My son, who is now a junior, was told he might not be able to have a dorm room this coming year. He has opted to live with some other students in an apartment near the campus. It can be cheaper, especially without the meal plan. If you don't mind my asking, what medical issues require you to have special circumstances?

[SingDanceRunLife]

Originally Posted by PAYNE1

Alas, freshmen do tend to get the ratty dorms. I sure hope the housing person is doing his/her best. It is true, however, that sometimes dorm space is limited. My son, who is now a junior, was told he might not be able to have a dorm room this coming year. He has opted to live with some other students in an apartment near the campus. It can be cheaper, especially without the meal plan. If you don't mind my asking, what medical issues require you to have special circumstances?

I know freshmen tend to get the ratty dorms...and I lived in one when I was a freshman...but now that I'm a senior, I should get better housing!

If I could live off campus, I would. Unfortunately, that's not an option. My school requires you to live on campus all 4 years unless you live at home. And I can't live at home because I live too far away.

I am bipolar, and not yet completely stable...so living with someone can be hard, especially not knowing them. I've always had a roommate until this year, but I've always lived with friends who knew about and understood my condition, needs, and mood swings.

[Vibe]

Normally I'd say that's unfortunately how these things go. There isn't much they can do if they don't have the facilities. In order to stay in a place for two people, you'd probably have to buy out the second half. These schools are pretty much run like a business.

However, if they require you to live on campus, then they're dropping the ball. This is especially true if your condition is considered a disability. I'm not up to date on the laws but you -might- have a leg to stand on if you fought 'em.

[Travelinglady]

Well, it does seem like they could try harder. I don't blame you for not wanting to live in a freshman dorm. You have worked hard to get where you are. I suppose single rooms are really at a premium. Sounds like the school needs to build more housing!

I know about bipolar. That's what I have. Is there any way you could take your chances on a double room and let your new roomie know from the get-go about your special issues? Have all the rooms already been assigned? Maybe you could ask around and see if there's somebody you know, at least from one of your classes, who seems like she could be understanding.

Is there a disability office on your campus? Maybe they could go to bat for you. (By the way, I'm not familiar with other schools that require upperclassmen to live on campus, if they could afford it.)

Still hoping things will go better for you.....

[SingDanceRunLife]

The school actually does need more housing...but they don't seem to be doing anything about it! In fact, unless they build or buy something over the summer, there will be even less housing next year since they're planning on making 1 of the floors in one of the upperclass dorms into offices!

I'm pretty sure bipolar is classified as a disability according to the ADA...but I don't know how that works with school, or if it affects school at all.

Unfortunately, I have nobody I know who wants to move...so that's not an option...

Most of the rooms were assigned in the fall semester, but since people transfer and come back from studying abroad etc. people do get shifted for the spring semester.

I could take my chances on a roommate...but I'm actually terrified of living with someone I don't know...and I really hate telling people about my BP unless I know them really well and really trust them. People are just way too judgmental!!

[Nobodyandnothing]

Maybe you could get the school to waive the requirement that you live on campus. Granted that is not what you want but it does not seem fair that you can occupy a 2 bedroom apt. when space is at a premium. The school did offer you an accomodation but you did not accept it. They have met their burden. They do not have to keep offering accomodations until they find one that you like.

Consider asking for a waiver.

[SingDanceRunLife]

I'm not occupying a 2 bedroom apartment by myself. I live in a 2 bedroom apartment, with my friend. I'm in one room, and she's in the other.

They only do waivers for up to 100 people per year, and only people who are graduating in May..and you have to apply a year in advance as well.

Plus, there is really literally no place I could live off campus anyway since I'm not about to live in an apartment complex that is riddled with drugs and violence, and that's the only place within walking distance of my school, I don't have a car and can't get one (no license and no money anyway), and the public transportation in the city SUCKS...

[Nobodyandnothing]

Pardon my mistake. I thought you wanted to be the only one in the 2 bedroom apartment. What you are saying is that each bedroom is for two people and you are just asking that one bedroom be a single (for you) but you share the apartment with 2 others. Is this right?

[SingDanceRunLife]

Originally Posted by Nobodyandnothing

Pardon my mistake. I thought you wanted to be the only one in the 2 bedroom apartment. What you are saying is that each bedroom is for two people and you are just asking that one bedroom be a single (for you) but you share the apartment with 2 others. Is this right?

No. The apartment is a 2 bedroom apartment with 1 single (which my friend lives in) and 1 double (which I have been living in alone).