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Show 'l ( THE FORUM - MARCH 12,2014 7 ri ! t fs Ji r f The New Assistant Director of Residence Life f 5 ) 1 Meet Wallace. Lover of reality television, puppy rescuer and the new assistant director of residence Living on campus college. However, incoming first-ye- ar students may experience difficulty finding that freedom. The Office of Residence Life has implemented live-o- n a two-ye- ar policy for all enrolled students While there has always been a live-o- n requirement for incoming first-ye- ar students, the new all sophomores from will a policy require contract as well. The new contract does allow for exemptions Students withdrawing from Westminster, moving in with family or facing financial blocks may file for an appeal. However, after being reviewed by a committee, exemption is not always granted The decision for the new policy came from key stakeholders at the college. Studies show that housing increased reremaining in tention rates, GPAs and the amount of campus involvement. One benefit from the policy is price. First-ye- ar students were guaranteed a locked-i- n rate of living. In the past, upperclassmen received a 3 percent increase in price every year for housing. The housing options for sophomores and othare also increased. Students er upper-classmcan choose to live in Stock Hall, Villa Dam and Century or at Westminster on the Draw. While each offers different amenities, each option ensures standard utilities and wireless internet. Stock received the largest amounts of requests students required to live on Of the 306 first-ye- ar campus, 104 applied to live in Stock, and 45 ap plied to live in the same location. Stock is right on campus, said Guthrie Burstudent. I like that I can wake up nett, first-ye- ar and be in a classroom in three minutes. Another factor of Stock being requested more often than the Draw is a first glance at the price The Draw is priced at $7,260, whereas Stock is valued at $8,572 (including a meal plan.) Howcontract, bringing ever, the Draw is an the price to $660 per month. Stock is a contract at $952 per month. The Draw will also be featuring a new restau rant at ground level. By the end of the semester Freeblrds will open their doors and provide an alternative dining option for residents. Some students are against the new live-o- n policy, however. ey pus is harder t setbacks is a can be large s king for off-atilities for a 'helan, senior 1300 east, rth the price LC averaged A two-bed-1,1- 00. on-camp- till find ben-- s, including a on and other porary living se provides a oake a house d possibly no can get : cre- - the rooms in so be able to tside of a fish pus residence can include ; to pay utili-:ttito visit will end in wedding and the landlord e ng 11-mo- t spiders love to renting a near-ar- e limited, ldings being 1100 E. 2100 This apart-5ugHouse, 1 will eventu- - s. ar campus that ds do not al-spa- ce. Also, During the 2013-201- 4 year, the Office of Residence Life experienced changes in leadership. Aimee Frost, the previous assistant director of residence life, was offered a promotion to Director and the search for a new assistant began. A match was found in Wallace. Bom and raised in Random Lake, Wisconsin, Wallace attended the University of Wisconsin-White-wat- er and received an undergraduate degree in health and human performance. There was never a link between my undergraduate degree and getting a masters in education administration, Wallace said. I just think 4 f K that health and a healthy dent living scenario go stu- hand-in-han- d. Wallace brings nine years of housing experience and hopes to implement a new program to improve the experience for students. The new program would create focus groups of residents to provide honest feedback to the office. I want to hear how we can improve or how we can enhance what were already doing right, Wallace said. from The information students could be utilized to alter existing policies or implement changes to improve the overall experience for campus housing. While Wallace has already been working for two months at Westminster, he has not really settled into the position yet. My office needs some serious decorating, I look like Im just visiting, Wallace said. But really, Im in it for the long run. When Wallace isnt focusing on residential topics, he can be seen walking his rescued black lab Buddy or playing intramural i 1 n nth I i While I wont mind Stock, I feel as though Im being forced to stay here, Burnett said.- I see students holding resentment over not being able to become independent. If a resident of Stock wishes to throw a sur prise party, they must ensure the noise level is u si kept low and that the apartment does not become ? overcrowded. Residents of the Draw may be ran domly placed with a roommate who they entirely do not live well with, instead of renting an apart ! " ment and being able to choose their - I Sugar House nth one bed- - us en that live on tments life. tudents are met with independence at off campus F ramen noo-onand not ; they missed Collin ? JJt313GFj means you don't have to put miles P on your car driving back ft and forth. Parking passes are also available. Living f r & $ PpmMaaiia a T T. Picking rommmates is easy. And RAs are available for conflict resolution if needed. or t i . "'l)i Photo by Becca Rettenberger Infographic by Becca Rettenberger ? i flat-mat- es Bsawi i I r |