UCLA students face many different housing situations. Some live in sardine-can triples in outdated halls while others enjoy singles or doubles in comparatively larger plaza buildings. Some bathe in the presence of their floormates; others only have suitemates to worry about.
Across this spectrum, however, one thing is clear: No students would complain about having more room, a little kitchen and some entertaining space.
Administrators at Indiana University of Pennsylvania apparently understand this situation perfectly.
According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, the school is dropping $270 million to completely redo their on-campus housing ““ every single room.
By redoing the entire community, the university is setting a precedent others would do well to follow. Students inject the schools they attend with thousands of dollars each quarter, and they deserve a respectful university in return.
That is, it is not enough to offer only solid academia.
Coming to college is starting a new life. The facilities are nearly equally important as the learning that will fill them.
For the most part, UCLA has understood this notion of give and take. New residence halls have been built and existing structures are being remodeled.
However, there is always room for improvement. For example, students who do not live on campus have no real university eatery that provides service for all hours of the night or day.
“We need more food. Not just in the dining halls, but some sort of diner on campus that could provide students with a 24-hour, quality dining location ““ whether or not they live on campus,” said Tim Beers, a fourth-year sociology student.
Additionally, on-campus students should be able to use their meal plans on campus for far more than the meager coupons allow ($1.55 per swipe). Given the premium students pay for on-campus housing and meal plans, the university should coordinate its dining departments on the Hill with chains on campus or provide an alternative like the one Beers mentions.
While our campus does not need to attract more applicants in order to keep its lecture halls filled, we could benefit from more invigorated students who are inspired not only by the books they are required to read, but also by the places they can relax, eat and live.
UCLA can adopt some of the techniques Indiana is using to help finance the projects proposed.
The school has issued bonds through its foundation that cover the $270 million figure, avoiding the state’s debt-ridden education system and the difficult bidding required for state construction projects.
When the buildings are done and loans are repaid, the foundation will then resell the dorms back to the school for a dollar a building.
According to The Chronicle, this will take place over 30 some-odd years.
Admittedly, the picture over in Pennsylvania is not perfect; students living in the new buildings will be paying more, but this is no surprise to UCLA students living in suites or plazas. Nor should it surprise anyone who pays rent: live somewhere nicer, pay more.
As higher education becomes increasingly popular, universities must adapt to growing competition not only by attracting faculty at the top of their fields, but also by catering to the needs of their student community.
UCLA’s 2006 “Campaign UCLA” raised $3.05 billion, setting a record for the most successful fundraising campaign in the history of higher education.
According to UCLA, a majority of the funds were allocated as follows: $226 million for fellowships and scholarships, $784 million for medical research and patient-care, $605 million for faculty research, and $634 million for new facilities ““ $300 million of which went to the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.
Of course, each of these represents an essential university function. However, aside from medical care and facilities (which have propelled the medical side of Westwood to be ranked third in the nation), investments must continue to be made in facilities and opportunities for students to live, eat and navigate their campus lives.
After all, it is the students who not only pay tuition but also purchase food, sports tickets, school supplies and anything else the school can offer them.
Can’t wait for the new version of Ackerman’s Cooperage? E-mail Makarechi at kmakarechi@media.ucla.edu. Send general comments to viewpoint@media.ucla.edu.