Many students have seen Guilford’s housing policy and lottery process change in recent years; this year is no different.Rising sophomores will have first pick of housing in the lottery, followed by rising super-seniors, rising seniors and finally rising juniors. In addition to the order change, rising sophomores will no longer be allowed to live in the North or South Apartments.

For upperclassmen who want to live in traditional dorms, squatter’s rights have been instituted in Mary Hobbs, Shore, and English Hall.

Some students complain about the current system and some have started to take issue with the newly proposed one. However, they do not necessarily voice their concerns to Residence Life before the policy goes into effect.

“In the past, students generally have not commented about the housing policy before it is implemented,” said Dean of Students Aaron Fetrow.

Residence Life has been open to suggestions, but students have not yet expressed concern or given feedback concerning housing arrangements for the 2009-2010 academic year. Discussion is still open.

“If we get this resounding message from sophomores that they really object to the policy, we’ll look at it (and) try to make it more equitable,” said Fetrow.

In the meantime, students speculate about their possible housing dilemmas in the near future.

Because the housing plan gives juniors the latest sign-up time, some worry about where they will be able to live. The squatter’s rights were implemented to help alleviate this issue, but they do not include Bryan Hall.

“I really have no desire to live in the apartments,” said rising junior Destiny Carden, “I am worried I will lose ideal housing options because (rising) sophomores get first choice.”

Current first-years are having problems deciding where to live, now that the apartments are no longer an option.

“I don’t want to live in an all-girls’ dorm, but I’m not particularly thrilled with being trapped behind the prison bars of Bryan either,” said first-year Laura Kopald.

According to some first-years, being pulled into the apartments by upperclassmen is not only an honor, but an appropriate move as well.

“We should be able to (accept an invitation to) live in the apartments if upperclassmen invite us,” said first-year Gabriel Lowder.

Student-athletes provide another viewpoint about sophomores living in the apartments with upperclassmen.

“The idea of living with an upperclassman on my team is great because I would get to have fun and learn with them,” said first-year student-athlete Brittany Speed. “They’re more wise than I am, from experience, and will provide guidance.”

In the past, rising juniors and seniors have not been able to live in the apartments and moved off campus instead because rising sophomores joined with upperclassmen with good lottery numbers.

This year, in the case of a housing shortage, the goal is to keep younger students on campus and send upperclassmen off campus. Because of this, off-campus applications are necessary and will be reviewed thoroughly.

Residence Life encourages students to complete off-campus housing applications by March 7. Permission will be granted by March 14-just in time for the on-campus housing application deadline in case applications for off-campus residency are denied.

Problems? Let your voice be heard, for the housing battle for the 2009-2010 academic year has not yet been decided.