Housing deposit process puts students in tight spot
Nicole Barreca
Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: News
A $200 deposit fee is new to the housing process this year. The fee must be paid in full at time of registration or the student will not be allowed to register for housing.
Most colleges and universities have a housing deposit. "We did a survey of colleges that are similar to us and we found that the mid range of housing deposits was right around $200," Jay Prescott, vice president for student affairs, said.
Students were made aware of the deposit fee about two weeks ago at the annual housing meeting.
Students raised the concern that the amount was too much and finding it in only a matter of two weeks would be very difficult.
"I wasn't here last year, but people who were say its too much. I agree. I really don't want to spend that much. It's ridiculous. I don't have $200. I don't have a job even," Allie Jones, art therapy freshman, said.
Prescott and the housing committee feel that if this process is not done in two to three weeks people will loose the information. Then they run the risk of not getting set up for next year.
"In the past when we did not have the deposit, and students checked out improperly or had damages, we could assess and fine students but the ability to recover that fine is very limited," Prescott said.
"I am not living on campus next year and the fee is part of the reason. I think it's ridiculous that we should have to scrounge up $200 in like what, two weeks? We don't have enough money as it is," Gabby Detrick, history sophomore, said.
"For any student that this is really a barrier to come up with the money, they need to come and talk to Bonita Bontrager to discuss that," Prescott said.
Most colleges and universities have a housing deposit. "We did a survey of colleges that are similar to us and we found that the mid range of housing deposits was right around $200," Jay Prescott, vice president for student affairs, said.
Students were made aware of the deposit fee about two weeks ago at the annual housing meeting.
Students raised the concern that the amount was too much and finding it in only a matter of two weeks would be very difficult.
"I wasn't here last year, but people who were say its too much. I agree. I really don't want to spend that much. It's ridiculous. I don't have $200. I don't have a job even," Allie Jones, art therapy freshman, said.
Prescott and the housing committee feel that if this process is not done in two to three weeks people will loose the information. Then they run the risk of not getting set up for next year.
"In the past when we did not have the deposit, and students checked out improperly or had damages, we could assess and fine students but the ability to recover that fine is very limited," Prescott said.
"I am not living on campus next year and the fee is part of the reason. I think it's ridiculous that we should have to scrounge up $200 in like what, two weeks? We don't have enough money as it is," Gabby Detrick, history sophomore, said.
"For any student that this is really a barrier to come up with the money, they need to come and talk to Bonita Bontrager to discuss that," Prescott said.
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