A need for standard housing on campus
Centennial Square Two is being built adjacent to the current Centennial Square. Photo by: highpoint.edu
By Haley Mckeown, Staff Writer //
The new Centennial Square Two broke ground recently as High Point University students continue to question the motives behind the decision to build this costly style of housing. While some students are displeased, the administration is standing strong behind their decision.
Many students are outraged after discovering the new housing, which is scheduled to open in the fall of 2015, and will range in price from tier three to tier five. This would mean that in addition to their tuition costs students would be required to pay an additional amount averaging $5,600 in order to live in this top of the line upperclassman housing. This means for each centennial townhome filled, an average of $36,000 would be brought in. Now the administration’s decision to forgo the much needed on-campus standard cost housing becomes clearer.
Jeremy Johnson, a sophomore at HPU, said, “The thing about building a centennial style housing is what happens to the kids that can’t afford it, where do they get placed?” The answer, reflected in the facts, is that these students are forced to live off of main campus because it is simply too expensive. In addition to ever increasing tuition costs, housing prices continue to force students to figure out a solution. While for some people the costs are just too high that they have to transfer, students that stay are forced to live farther and farther away.
Students are disappointed in HPU administration because of the lack of input students had in this decision. During the last Student Government Association meeting in the spring of 2014, student representatives voted on a standard style of housing offered to upperclassman. This vote, as well as the student voice, seems to have been overlooked.
Greyson Whitaker, student body president, said “I personally do not agree with the decision to build another Centennial…This is where we are going to live, and we should have a strong voice and seat at the table when it comes to deciding these things.”
Administration feels differently. When asked how this style of housing was chosen, Erica Lewis, Senior Director of Student Life, said, “We based our decision on demand, numbers from wait-lists, and what students ask for.” This notion however, doesn’t stop to consider that these wait-lists are the way they are because they reflect the limited options available. Imagine what the wait-lists would be like for a standard rate housing location for upperclassmen on campus? Student survey data suggests it would be tremendous.
Centennial Square Two will be located on the opposite side of the current Centennial. There will be a total of 50 compounds, and it will house an additional 345 students, which is great as far as expanding on campus housing, but at a heavy price.