SU Housing Crisis: The real issues unfolded

Fall semester 2023 is here and Southern University’s housing is full like never before. With incoming freshmen, transfers and returning students, the housing department tries their best to keep “Move-In Day” organized and steady. However, some concerns from students have been on the rise. Some students have concerns with water pressure, cleanliness upon arrival, and most importantly being able to get a room assignment. After a sit down with the Director of Residental Life, Mrs. Tracie Abraham, the Southern DIGEST received a clear understanding regarding students complaints, why housing was filled to capacity, and their future plans for a smooth transition. The Fall 2023 semester is filled to capacity, Director Abraham states “there are approximately 2,200 students living on campus housing . . . given that there is a large amount of students, it is wise to put your application in on time to avoid being waitlisted or having discrepancies with room assignments.” Regardless of the number of students in housing, the residential assistants jobs are to check their assigned rooms to make sure all students have signed in for their room assignment. If students fail to show up for their room assignment, it would be canceled. Discussions with students have suggested issues with paying excessive housing fees and receiving good living conditions. Darius Gaines, Junior, Criminal Justice Major says” Moving in the university apartments was decent. However the first night, the water pressure in the shower was low, there were insects such as wasp and roaches in the living room area.” Sophomore, Civil Engineering major, Joseph Williams, shares his opinion about living conditions outside of the University Apartments. “I honestly believe that outside the apartments, the living conditions are terrible. It took the school 3 days before school started to get me housing and I applied in February, most of the dorms have terrible AC units, and the buildings just aren’t kept up with.” Director Abraham was asked for an explanation on this matter. “Student housing fees have not increased in 10 years. The only change was the laundry fee. Cleanliness, if you look in the parking lots and grounds it’s nothing but trash that residents throw on the grounds, which creates an environment for insects.” With this information given from our housing director, she would like for students to be mindful where they put their trash so students can have a cleaner environment. Abraham was asked for a response to students as a whole who had struggles with getting a room assignment due to capacity. “We are working to build more residential facilities. We recommended several off campus alternatives,” says Abraham. Although there are many negative comments and remarks for the housing department JaBraylyn Gipson, senior, criminal justice major feels differently. “Housing on campus is a safe place for students especially for upcoming Freshman in the fall, with staying on campus you have easy access to numerous resources whether it’s having a meal plan at a cheaper cost, being closer to campus events, and a quicker way to make new friends.” With many opinions from students and direct answers from Housing Director Abraham, we expect moving forward better living conditions and a cleaner environment for students. Even though housing fees have not changed over the past ten years, students would still hope to get their money’s worth. Lastly, Southern University still has plans on upgrading housing’s ‘New Look’. Director Abraham says “We are still working to building more residential facilities.” With more residential facilities negative comments and complaints towards housing would likely decrease and more students would be able to live on campus rather being given an alternative of living off campus.