Royal Purple

Issue date: 11/28/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Mike Rybicki Junior Boureima Timbo unpacks his backpack after classes in Wells East.

After Residence Life announced the decision to cancel all housing during breaks due to residence hall overcrowding, several international students found they had no place to live during the break. Some students are still looking for housing while others have found places to live.

Fifty-two international students are living in the residence halls this semester, according to Linda Eshelman, assistant director for International Student Services.

"I would say that because of the removal of White Hall and the increased freshmen class size, we will be at peak capacity," Jeff Janz, director of university housing, said.

White Hall was taken off-line as a residence hall to be converted into office space during the construction of the new college of business and economics building.

Lack of housing during breaks will likely continue for the 2008-09 school year and until a new residence hall is built.

"The demand over the last several years [for break housing] has been light," Janz said.

Plane tickets to travel to some students' home countries are expensive, some costing more than $2,000 for a round-trip ticket.

Boureima Timbo, a junior transfer student from Mali, Africa, stayed at a friend's house during Thanksgiving break. Timbo will move out of the residence halls at semester break.

"The apartment will be ready for move-in for winter break," Timbo said.

Although Timbo has found a place to stay, some students are still looking for housing.

Kenneth Tapsoba, from Burkina Faso, said he decided at the last minute to stay at a house with four of his female friends.

"When I heard that the dorms would be closed for breaks, I thought it was a joke," he said. "That's why I did not take it seriously. Why would the dorms be closed for Thanksgiving? Most American students are going home but not international students; [they] do not have this national holiday in their country."

Although the housing shortage has left the international students looking for short-term housing, Janz said they will help connect people who do not have housing with a place to stay. Some students offer sub-leasing on their houses and apartments during the winter breaks in order to receive a small amount of income.

If someone does not have a place to go during the break, they should talk to their resident assistant. The RA will be able to find more information about a temporary housing solution.

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