I don’t want to be suddenly awakened by blaring
jackhammers on Saturday mornings.
But I am.
Often.
The delayed completion of Sproul’s first-floor
construction, which began January 2003, is six months behind
schedule. Many residents feel resentment due to the construction
noises, problems, dust and debris.
Housing and Hospitality Services promised Sproul Hall a lobby,
front desk and dining facility by winter quarter but currently
offers no deadline for completion. Sproul residents should receive
financial compensation for the losses they’ve suffered this
year. As for me, I would like my sleep and my quiet,
please.
This year, housing costs at Sproul Hall ranged from $8,379 to
$10,234 ““ and prices will only go up. For such a hefty price
tag the hall should be absolutely packed with amenities. Despite
the countless facilities and programs the Housing Web site
advertises for Sproul ““Â a computer lab, entertainment
room, large screen TV, pool and ping-pong tables, multiple meeting
rooms, a fitness room and a deli ““ none of these amenities
actually exists.
Instead, residents like me experience day-to-day reality
that is very different.
We’re rudely awakened at 7 a.m, distracted by noises
during finals week, and shuffled outside the building due to
frequent and obnoxious fire drill mistakes.
In fact, the Hill has endured about 10 fire drills this year due
to construction, according to Amp Delrosario, the Office of
Residential Life construction mitigator. Meanwhile, second floor
T-shirts mock construction with illustrations of a student woken up
by jackhammers.
Tawdry conditions such as these prove unfair to residents who
expected better from Sproul Hall.
“My roommate and I chose Sproul because we thought it
would be new and that we would have a place to eat ““ but
it’s not like that at all,” said Michael Uy, a
second-year political science student.
Effects of construction have been widely felt throughout the
Hill.
But Sproul Hall is placed in a unique position: The project is
continuing when it should be complete. Though Hedrick Hall and
Dykstra parking lot projects began only a few months ago and
steadily move toward their approaching deadlines, Sproul Hall has
been left behind. Consequently, the many students who chose Sproul
hoping for “minimal” construction can’t enjoy the
luxuries they hoped for.
“Of all the construction going on, on the Hill, Sproul has
certainty taken the brunt of the impacts this year on things like
schedule slips and fire alarms,” said Dan Les, associate
director for budget and planning for Housing.
If construction has been delayed, Sproul residents should be
informed why delays have happened ““ but they aren’t
given any information. “I wish I knew why I’ve been so
inconvenienced,” said Amy Morrin, a first-year pre-business
economics student and Sproul resident.
Meanwhile, most of the students I have talked to suggested the
vast majority of Sproul residents don’t understand the cause
of the delays ““ they just know they dislike them.
The Housing administration proves equally confused.
“I don’t have any specific information on the cause
of the delays,” Les said.
Students have been told to direct their questions and comments
to the “construction hotline.” This hotline, however,
directs callers to the Covel Commons front desk.
One thing is clear: Sproul residents have been misled. The
amenities promised to them have been denied, and they haven’t
been told why. It’s not fair that Sproul students have
to walk away from this academic year empty-handed. UCLA’s
dorms are meant to provide convenient and comfortable housing for
thousands of students, and this goal has not been met. As a
solution, UCLA should offer compensation to Sproul residents, such
as future housing discounts.
“When I’m paying to live somewhere, I’m paying
for the entire (package),” said Brittany Lawson, a first-year
biology student and Sproul resident. “If I signed a housing
contract at the beginning of the year and I was under the
impression that I would get certain amenities, then I should be
provided them.”
The programs currently organized by construction mitigation,
though in good spirit, don’t solve any housing problems. They
only distract residents from the money and resources they’ve
lost. On Tuesday, construction mitigation hosted a “Sproul
Extravaganza,” which featured a colorful bounce house, live
bands, quick snacks and cotton candy. Token handouts such as water
bottles and apples have been distributed to residents throughout
the year, as well.
But the problem with “Sproul Extravaganza” and
giveaway fruits is a fairly obvious one. Sproul residents
aren’t consoled with periodically distributed cheap gimmicks
or festivals.
Delayed construction is a serious issue that has changed the
lifestyle of 950 Sproul residents. From the 7 a.m wake-up calls to
the irritating fire alarms, life has gotten harder ““ and no
amount of bootless celebrations can fix that. Consolation prizes
only seem patronizing to Sproul residents. “They can’t
bribe us with a banana,” said Jenny Chiang, second-year math
student.
Wake me up when my money goes where I want it.
Fried is a first-year history student. E-mail her at
ifried@media.ucla.edu. Send general comments to
viewpoint@media.ucla.edu.