2008 Woodie Awards
Vote Absentee
Why tamper with a good thing?
Anthony David Rueli. He is a Collegian columnist and can be reached at arueli@student.umass.edu.
Issue date: 9/19/07 Section: Editorial / Opinion
When I tell people that I am a senior at UMass still living on campus in the dorms, the most common response I receive is usually, very simply, "Why?"
I try not to get into it, especially with people I don't know very well. I usually shake my head or roll my eyes and give them a non-answer like, "Hah, you know…"
Afterward, however, I always get a bit of a disconcerting feeling about the confused looks I get, or the wrinkled eyebrows, or even looks of disgust. Why is it such a horrible thing to most people to stay on campus for the entirety of one's college career?
So, if you've ever asked someone why they remain on campus as a senior and been waved away or non-answered, this might give you a little insight on people and their housing decisions.
There's a plan that most people are supposed to follow with their housing at UMass. Everyone lives on campus as a freshman, and most people do as well as a sophomore. As a junior, the student is expected to find a place off campus. If they don't, they'd better start looking for one for their senior year, otherwise…
Well, otherwise what? I guess the only negative thing I can think of about remaining on campus is the aforementioned questions and strange looks.
During one's freshman and sophomore years, this place becomes your home. It's safe (well, you know what I mean), cozy, and familiar. Your food is there for you. Your electricity and heating are all taken care of, as are cable (premium!) and high-speed Internet.
What I want to answer when people ask me why I still live on campus as a senior is, "Why would you ever want to move off campus?" Hell, I wish I could live on campus all my life. I'd never have to worry about grocery shopping or any of the above utilities, just pay a yearly bill.
It seems to me that as students come to college, they get their first sense of independence. It's a wild feeling, living outside of your home for maybe the first time ever; I don't think anyone would dispute that.
I try not to get into it, especially with people I don't know very well. I usually shake my head or roll my eyes and give them a non-answer like, "Hah, you know…"
Afterward, however, I always get a bit of a disconcerting feeling about the confused looks I get, or the wrinkled eyebrows, or even looks of disgust. Why is it such a horrible thing to most people to stay on campus for the entirety of one's college career?
So, if you've ever asked someone why they remain on campus as a senior and been waved away or non-answered, this might give you a little insight on people and their housing decisions.
There's a plan that most people are supposed to follow with their housing at UMass. Everyone lives on campus as a freshman, and most people do as well as a sophomore. As a junior, the student is expected to find a place off campus. If they don't, they'd better start looking for one for their senior year, otherwise…
Well, otherwise what? I guess the only negative thing I can think of about remaining on campus is the aforementioned questions and strange looks.
During one's freshman and sophomore years, this place becomes your home. It's safe (well, you know what I mean), cozy, and familiar. Your food is there for you. Your electricity and heating are all taken care of, as are cable (premium!) and high-speed Internet.
What I want to answer when people ask me why I still live on campus as a senior is, "Why would you ever want to move off campus?" Hell, I wish I could live on campus all my life. I'd never have to worry about grocery shopping or any of the above utilities, just pay a yearly bill.
It seems to me that as students come to college, they get their first sense of independence. It's a wild feeling, living outside of your home for maybe the first time ever; I don't think anyone would dispute that.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Doatsie
posted 9/19/07 @ 11:58 AM EST
Hello Anthony. Many (many) years ago when I was a Junior at UMass myself and 2 of my firends had the choice of going in together and renting an off campus apartment or being the 3 women in our dorm with the most "points" to qualify for the 3 singles that were available that year. (Continued…)
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