Privacy Concerns and Living Conditions Raise Issues in Totty Residence Halls

In the heart of Totty residence halls, students are grappling with a myriad of privacy concerns and living conditions that have sparked discontent among the freshman community. From the alleged constant threat of fines to unexpected room inspections and discomfort caused by temperature changes, the issues are multifaceted and have garnered attention from those directly impacted.
Jasmine Williams, a freshman resident at Totty, shared her perspective on the challenges faced during her time in the residence halls. Reflecting on her experience, she remarked, “Personally, last semester was a lot worse than this semester in certain aspects.” One significant change that has improved the overall living experience is the introduction of a new hall director. Jasmine noted, “We have a new hall director that makes the experience a lot better.” Despite this positive change, the overarching concern of privacy persists, particularly in interactions with Residential Assistants (RAs).
Syia Sanders, another freshman resident in Totty, expressed her dissatisfaction with the lack of privacy. She stated, “There is no privacy; they just open the door after claims of knocking three times before entering.” The perceived invasion of privacy has left residents feeling unsettled and, in some cases, contemplating relocation. The right to privacy is vital for a comfortable living environment, encompassing the freedom to be left alone and the ability to engage in personal activities without undue interference.
Jasmine elaborated on the lack of communication regarding room checks, stating, “They don’t give alerts on group me nor inform us in any way of room checks.” This absence of notification, particularly for female residents, raises concerns about the appropriate handling of privacy matters. The combination of RA behavior and insufficient privacy measures contributes to a challenging living environment for students.
Beyond privacy concerns, students in Totty are contending with issues related to the building’s infrastructure. Air conditioning and water supply problems are prominent among the complaints. Jasmine highlighted the discomfort caused by the extreme cold, stating, “It’s so cold; I can’t sleep at night. It’s hard to get up in the morning because of how cold it is.” Additionally, she mentioned that the water takes an excessive 15 minutes to heat up daily. The adverse living conditions, coupled with the financial investment in tuition, exacerbate the dissatisfaction among residents.
Adding to the litany of grievances is the threat of fines that looms over the students, even when they are not directly responsible for the alleged infractions. Syia expressed frustration, saying, “They will try to fine the whole building for something that one person did with no explanation whatsoever.” The lack of transparency in the fining process contributes to an environment of uncertainty and discontent among residents.
The Digest reached out for a comment from the residential assistants regarding the lack of privacy that students have been disgruntled with as a means to find some solutions. The Digest was informed that RAs are restricted from speaking to the media about residential life.
As the university administration becomes aware of these issues, it remains to be seen whether substantive changes will be implemented to address the concerns raised by Totty residents. The delicate balance between ensuring a sense of community and respecting individual privacy will likely be a key focus as the Residential Life Staff at Southern University works towards enhancing the overall living experience for its students.