Winter break housing policy problematic

By Staff Editorial     10/8/09 7:00pm

While the Houston winter is not nearly as frigid as what most of us may be used to, this winter break will nonetheless leave many students out in the cold. No, the residential colleges' air conditioning will not be left on full blast - instead, the residential colleges will be completely shut down, electricity and water turned off, while students are off building their snowmen (see story, page 1).That may be fine for those who were planning on venturing home for the break already, but for the remaining dozens, or possibly hundreds, who weren't planning on jumping the hedges during the three-week hiatus, the plan is undoubtedly a bit difficult to swallow. They won't be staying in a Motel 6 - but they won't be staying in Hotel Zaza, either. They will have to ship out for three weeks, living like a rock star on the road, or at least like a family whose house is undergoing a brief remodel.

The reasoning for moving the students out is clear and sensible. The recession may no longer be hammering itself down Rice's throats, but the university isn't out of the thick yet. And if we can save thousands of dollars by shutting down what can be perceived as a convenience, then there should be little resistance for saying otherwise. Plus, the expense facing the students, subsidized by the university, certainly seems manageable.

But there are reasons for detractors to harp. Firstly, allowing students to remain over the winter break was one of the (many) factors that separated Rice from other academic institutions. Sure, we may now share another commonality with other schools, but just because they perform the same temporary evictions does not make it the correct move.

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The second matter at hand is Rice's record number of international students, many of whom will be facing the most expensive trips back home. They were counting on maintaining the status quo over the break and were not expecting the hassle of moving out into yet another new home. Now, they will have to pack their suitcases, unplug and transport their pet fish, toss their fridge's remaining leftovers and wonder whether or not their new roommates, if doubling at the hotel, will be amenable.

Internationals will not be the only ones inhabiting the hotels, which leads us to our third point. Other students, those who assumed they could remain at their college over the break, are now faced with a tough decision: Either tug up their bootstraps and hike to the hotel, or shell out for a plane ticket that could break the bank. Plane tickets are always expensive; we understand this. But this plan should have been announced, if not last semester, then at least at the beginning of this semester. That way, these students could face this decision far earlier, at a far more manageable price. Waiting to announce the plan gained nothing, and could potentially cost much more than will be saved.

Yes, waiting that long was simply cold.

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