North Complex overflow continues to cause issues

It is almost two months into the school year and some students have yet to find a permanent place to call home.

At the beginning of the fall semester dorm capacity was at 99.7 percent. Phil Covington, dean of Student Life, said that it has decreased to 99 percent in the first month and a half. Covington added that North Complex is still above 100 percent capacity.

Students still living in lounges or with community advisers have been informed that the process will

take a while.

First-year Josh Hayes, who is still living with a CA, said he’s okay with his living situation, and worries about moving so late in the year.

“We get along alright, so I really don’t mind,” Hayes said. “The only thing I hope is that they don’t move me to a different floor. I’ve finally gotten to meet most everyone on my floor.”

Covington said housing’s biggest issue is balance. Not only is it the housing department’s goal to get all the students out of the lounges and CA rooms, he said, but to please the students who want a room change.

First-year Mercedes Boradaeux, a student living in a lounge, said she is still living in a lounge, but has adjusted to her living space.

Although numbers are still pretty high, Covington said, the reality of the situation is that USD has a “beautiful problem” on its hands.

“We can’t find space because people are staying,” Covington said. “Usually about this time rooms become available because students transfer, drop out or simply do not show up.”

Should the problem persist next year, Covington said measures are being taken to improve the overflow problem.

“Every year the student body is growing,” Covington said. “Although this is a challenge for the housing department, it is a great achievement for the university as a whole.”