Senate Update 9/15
By Addison Mason
In the third Student Senate meeting of the Fall 2025 semester, the senate welcomed Dean of Students, Derek Zuckerman, who provided data found by a benchmark survey completed by residential students last semester. The results stirred up many questions from senators.
This survey asked students about housing conditions, dining quality, and campus safety. This variety of questions allowed students to voice their concerns about issues on campus. They were accompanied by an open ended section, allowing students to voice concerns the survey did not ask about.
The data brought many issues to light that students face on campus including the housing selection process and parking. This meeting highlighted possible solutions to these problems to aid the student body.
Last year, students were confused when selecting rooms, and felt that they were given a lack of information about the spaces. In the past, students had access to building floor plans, making it easier to select. According to Zuckerman, the plans were removed because they had “problems with accessibility.” When asked if these floor plans would become available again, Zuckerman said, “…we have to make some modifications in the way they are stored in the system to be available to everyone.”
Senator Ella Rothberg asked about a possible return of the 3D software that was available for students to plan their room layouts by using included measurements and a drag and drop style interface. She asked if that software could be available if the floor plans are not. In response, Zuckerman states they want to be able to bring back this software because he believes it will make things easier for residential students.
Another reason the housing selection was difficult for some students was because they were required to select individual rooms thinking it was a double. Upon arrival, some students realized the dorm they are in is really a quad. It was discussed by Zuckerman that in the future they will possibly require students to make their own groups of four and select a whole apartment or suite so there is no more move in day confusion. This will also help minimize the amount of underpopulated suites allowing space for more residents.
The other major topic that was discussed was the issue of parking. The survey showed that many residential students were unhappy with the limited amount of parking for them around campus. Residents would be pushed to different areas of campus in order to park even if they lived in a completely different part of campus. They were upset they took a “backseat” to commuters and faculty.Folllowing these complaints the administration decided that Lot H, or the “Commuter Lot,” located under the bridge, would be open to residents as well.
While this change has been graciously accepted by residents, commuters are now finding issues with finding parking. Senator Ryan Trabulsi asked if commuters were in any way consulted before these changes were made. Since this survey was specifically about the residential experience, it was not offered to commuters. Following this, Trabulsi stated, “Right now, parking ticket appeals we’ve seen a change where the majority of our appeals are coming from commuters and Almeida students.”
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