When students arrived at North Carolina A&T to start the semester, some came back on campus to learn they had no housing assignments. Instead of being assigned into a hall, they were temporarily directed to move into the Park Lane hotel, on High Point Rd.

“The reason we accommodated students in the Park Lane Hotel was simply because more students applied for housing than we had spaces for,” said Executive Director of Housing and Residence Life, Leonard B. Jones. “We wanted to accommodate everyone who applied; therefore, we made arrangements with the Park Lane Hotel to accommodate those who were without housing temporarily until further arrangements could be made.”

 The Park Lane Hotel and N.C. A&T signed a contract in which Park Lane agreed to house those students who were temporarily without housing for one week, until new housing assignments could be made.

“We are very thankful that we were able to accommodate those who were without housing,” Jones said.

Every morning, continental breakfast was served, fresh bed linens were made available for students as needed. Shuttles were also provided for students as a means of getting from the hotel to the school.

“For temporary housing, everything was okay,” said Junior Accounting major Rodney Smith. “They provided van shuttles that came every hour and they were on time, it wasn’t that bad. I have to give them credit; at least they did not leave us out in the dust with nowhere to stay.” 

“The University provided shuttles that ran from 7 a.m. to about 10 p.m. at night,” Jones said. “Also, there was some of A&T staff that stayed out there with the students to assist them with any needs.”   

Housing registration begins in February and goes on through August. Students are allowed to choose their own dorms based on a first come, first serve basis.  Generally, students who applied for housing earlier received the housing they requested.

“Students control their placement. Some students waiting for a special room, (i.e. single rooms or private room) generally have more trouble getting into the room they want because special rooms are limited,” said Jones.

While questions about this issue speculated among students, rumors about closed dorms were on the minds of other students.

“If there were so many students without housing, then why were some of the dorms closed?” said Junior Biology major, Melanie Williams-Taft. “Shouldn’t those without housing be allowed to stay in those dorms? Why did A&T accept so many people for housing knowing that there weren’t enough spaces?”

There was a greater demand for housing because more continuing and returning students applied for housing this year.

“It is a very good thing that continuing students want to live on campus. Housing is here to provide students with a safe and secure place to live so they can focus on academic success,” said Jones.

Senior, Food Sciences major, Jasmine Brooks, has lived on campus for her entire undergraduate term while at A&T.

“Being on campus is closer to what I need; it’s more convenient and I don’t have a car so being on campus takes away the burden of trying to worry about how to get to school.”

All residence halls that could be used, were used except Curtis Hall, which was closed for renovations. “Curtis Hall was not available because of safety concerns,” said Jones. Holland Hall is currently being used for temporary housing.

On Thursday, August 20, the housing staff held a meeting in the Park Lane hotel for the students who were temporarily without housing. 

Jones said, “Staff assisted students for reassignments and by the end of that week, all students were given housing and out of the Park Lane Hotel.”  Openings in the residence halls became available because of students who did not show up for the fall semester.

“As soon as spaces on campus became available, I believe they let students know about the openings to get us out of the hotel as quick as they can,” Smith said,

“Every year I have to deal with housing and I put my application in early,” says Taft. “I put it in March of 2009, yet people who applied for housing in July got theirs before mine.”

“For the most part, students who applied for housing late were the ones who had to temporarily stay at a hotel,” Jones adds.

To prevent this problem in the future, Jones recommends students who desire housing not to wait until the last minute. 

• Kendra Webb