EVERY year, around the beginning of October, students begin a mad scramble for housing, afeeding frenzy for the finest apartments and a shuffle of "who's in, who's out" to put together the ideal living situation. This process occurs far too early in the school year, especially for first years, who, despite having a deadline of Nov. 30 for on-Grounds housing, face a daunting choice in October as they decide whether they want to live on Grounds or not with people they barely know. No one needs this pressure only a month into his or her college career, but the problem is a self-perpetuating cycle caused by students and exacerbated by rental companies. Students will continue to be part of this mad rush for prime housing until the whole student body is able to step back and realize that there is more than enough housing to go around.
The source of the annual frenzy for housing stems from both students and rental companies. Students continually seek the optimal housing situation, trying to accommodate selected friends into a living space in a certain location, be it an eight-person house on or around 14th St. or a four-person apartment on JPA. In seeking the perfect accommodations, students display a voracity for housing the rental companies are only too eager to match. According to John Evans, director of accommodations at the University's Housing Division, the rental companies used to begin signing leases around Parents Weekend, but have recently moved it forward in response to student (and parental) demand. Understandably, the companies wish to meet demand as it comes, but I doubt that demand would slacken much in a few weeks. Thus, students are as much to blame in causing the early rush for housing as are the rental companies.
The negative impact of this October housing crunch mainly manifests itself through stress, which, while something all students are used to, is not necessarily something we of which we want more. All students face pressure in early October, just when midterm exams are beginning, to choose whether to live on Grounds or off. If one chooses off, it becomes a matter to hunting down the ideal apartment at the right price with the right people. So many variables thrown in make the process quite harrying.
The other main problem with deciding so early on housing mainly affects first years. First years need more time to figure out who their friends are, and more importantly, who they are going to be in the coming year. Few people can tell in late September who their real friends are after having known them only a month. While on Grounds housing remains a good option for first years, the temptation to live off Grounds can cause many stress, and may pull some into uncomfortable living situations, as those with whom one is friends in September or even late November may not be those with whom one associates in May. John Evans recommended that first years especially focus on making friends and put off their decision on housing. In his words, "Making the right choice in roommates is far more important than location."
And yet, location is the main reason for the pandemonium of the housing rush. Evans claims that there is more than enough housing for students, on and off Grounds; the problem is that students scramble for the prime locations. Many people scramble for apartments on and around JPA and near Rugby Rd., Wertland St. and 14th St.
These locations are highly desirable, as they are close enough to Grounds that students can walk while also allowing students to live in close proximity to thousands of their peers. The early signing date, combined with the intensity of demand, puts great pressure on students who want to live in these areas.
Fortunately, if students are willing to be patient and act rationally, relief is in sight. According to Evans, the pace of construction far outstrips the needs of the student body. Rental companies added over 400 beds around the Corner last year. Anyone walking down 14th St. can see the construction of new apartment complexes. Companies are building more apartments in areas with high demand, which, if given time, will more than meet demand. If students (not all, but many) will merely take their time in deciding on housing, the rental companies will feel less pressure to move up their signing dates, and the rush will be off, providing peace of mind to many a worried student.
Robby Colby is a Cavalier Daily Viewpoint writer.
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