Movement to re-examine the current Union College off-campus housing process.

Union College's current policies regarding off campus housing are creating situations that force students to sign leases based off of landlord pressure prior to being released off campus. This has created a tremendous issue in which over 30,000 dollars has been put down on housing by students who have yet to be released by the college due to its current policies which neglect many of the realities of the off campus housing process. Over the past few years off campus housing has become incredibly competitive with leases being signed freshmen and sophomore year. Because of this students are often forced to sign or lose a house they are interested in because of the increased demand. This problem has been compounded by the simple reality that the campus has become over crowded in certain areas creating an image of overcrowding. When students arrive on campus they are at times forced into makeshift triples and quads in Davidson and West where rooms are incredibly tight. This has subsequently fostered a desire to get off campus, that has been taken up by many seniors in my class who have decided that part of the college experience should be the ability to live in a real world environment prior to graduation should you so desire. This petition is an invitation to the administration to reexamine an obviously flawed system and allow these seniors the prerogative to enjoy their final year as they desire.

Sincerely,
Union College Class of 2015

Below is a copied residential life email sent to the current sophomores last spring (5/1/13) highlighting occupancy issues, forced triples, and release for lottery for all students...
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Class of 2016,

Over the last three years, Union has experienced an increase in our student population and we are working on plans to create more housing accommodations. In the meantime, we have hit a point where our living space has reached capacity and we need to make some changes to our housing options.

In order to allow you to potentially make changes to your living arrangements, please note the following:
- The housing lottery and selection process, scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday, May 2, has been postponed until 5 p.m. next Thursday, May 9, in Memorial Chapel.

- We have re-opened the off campus release process, and are willing to release more people off campus. This applies to everyone on campus.

- We have designated up to 40 rooms in College Park Hall as triples. Students who select a triple in College Park during the lottery will be given a housing rebate of $1,000 for the academic year or $333 per term, which will be credited to your student account. Groups of three who volunteer to move into a triple will get first choice of the triple rooms in College Park Hall before the sophomore lottery starts.

- If space is freed up elsewhere on campus during the summer, or in winter or spring, those who are tripled will get first choice of available housing on a first come, first served basis. Once you move out of the triple, the rebate will no longer be in effect.

If you have questions, please visit the Residential Life office, located in 409 Reamer Campus Center. Be sure to create a contingency plan so that if you do not end up in your first choice housing, you will be prepared to live in a College Park Hall triple.

We understand that this is an inconvenience, and we will continue to work with you in any away we can. If you have any questions, please talk with your Residence Director, or call our office at (518) 388-6117.

Thank you for your attention.

Office of Residential Life
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