Quinnipiac University has altered the living arrangements for some freshman residence halls because of increased enrollment in the freshman class. However, the freshman class size and exact number of students affected will not be released until after move-in, according to Associate Director of Residential Life Melissa Karipidis.
In order to consolidate space, the third floor dorms of Irmagarde Tator Hall–commonly referred to as “Irma”–will be converted from housing doubles to triples, according to Karipidis. Some study rooms in Irma will be transformed into quads this year, in addition to many common rooms in Commons and Ledges that will be converted into eight-person rooms, as stated on the “QU Department of Residential Life” Facebook page.
Despite the Irma dorm rooms becoming forced triples for this upcoming year, this is not the first time that these residential halls held triples. Prior to the opening of the York Hill campus in 2007, Irma and Dana English Hall–also known as “Dana”–both housed triples almost exclusively.
Many students are worried about the lack of space in their “non-traditional housing,” as the Department of Residential Life refers to it. However, incoming freshman Hannah Popovich, who is going to live in a four-person former study room in Irma, does not seem to be bothered.
“I don’t mind because they need the room, I saw pictures of my dorm and it’s not that bad at all,” Popovich wrote in a Facebook message.
Students housed in Dana should not worry, as they will not be affected. This includes the 3+1 MBA community as well as the LiveWell community, which is a specifically substance-free and health-conscious environment.
Joel Vanner, another incoming freshman, was placed in an eight-person former common room in Ledges. While he is maintaining a positive attitude about his living arrangements, Vanner said he was confused because there was no mention of eight-person rooms at orientation.
“They just mentioned turning doubles into triples and that most of us would get quads,” Vanner said. “I don’t know if calling the room situation ‘unfair’ is correct, rather calling it ‘unfortunate’ sounds more accurate.”
Despite Vanner’s positive outlook on his situation, he still plans to seek a reduction in room costs for his freshman year.
“I plan on calling the university and asking for some sort of financial compensation,” Vanner said. “I’d like to think that the university isn’t playing dirty and trying to fit as many kids in the dorms as they can so they get the most money they can. Their actions regarding this situation will tell.”
