ONU Student Senate

I have just gotten a call from Dr. Baker who has received email messages from parents regarding the housing lottery process. The perception is that students with junior and senior rank are obtaining prime spaces in campus housing and then trading them to sophomores. In other words, according to the rumors sophomores are getting desirable spaces which should actually be given to juniors or seniors. There have been students who have attempted to cheat the system in this way, but in each case Justin has been able to intercede. There have been several students who have participated in the lottery process, obtained a prime space and then attempted to move off campus. Since they were anticipating being released from housing they made promises to sophomores about giving them the prime on campus spaces. Justin has had meetings with several students who have attempted this and he has denied their requests. The reality is that all students attempting this are being held accountable to maintaining their campus housing. It should also be noted that their behavior is being addressed as a violation of the student code of conduct. Justin is holding students to their on-campus housing lease and stopping the attempted trading of rooms. Since Justin is the sole approver of room changes and off-campus housing requests we feel confident that he is able to hold the line in these cases.

Now that you know the reality of the situation we hope you will help to quiet the rumors. Please speak up and be proactive in contradicting the stories that have grown out of these failed attempts to work around the system. We know that housing selection time can be challenging for many students. We are aware that students can become frustrated with the process. In fact, we are even aware that there is a Facebook group where some have chosen to vent their frustrations. While it is not possible for every student to move into the space that is their first choice, we do our very best to make the process as fair and effective as possible. We are constantly looking for ways to improve the process and we welcome constructive suggestions and ideas for further improvement. Please feel free to share this information, as well. Thank you for your help.